English Premier League: Leroy Sane (66') Man United 0-2 Man City
English Premier League: Bernado Silva (32') Man United 0-1 Man City
MANCHESTER, England, -- Manchester City moved back atop of the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over rivals United in the Manchester derby. After a tense, goalless first half, Bernardo Silva broke the deadlock with a clever run and finish in the 54th minute before Leroy Sane added a second 12 minutes later.
Positives
The tension was growing after a mixed display in the first half and City needing the three points to maintain control of the title race. But despite the pressure, City kept their composure, kept control of the game and were ruthless when they finally carved out their opportunities.
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Negatives
City aren't over the finish line yet and this was another tiring, draining night. Burnley will be up for a scrap on Sunday and Fernandinho will be a big loss for the tussle in midfield if he's ruled out after hobbling off here. Added to the injury of Kevin De Bruyne, Pep Guardiola is short of options to freshen up his midfield and the three players that finished the game may have to carry them through until the end of the season.
Manager rating out of 10
9 -- Pep Guardiola reverted back to their experience of David Silva and Vincent Kompany to handle the big derby atmosphere. City looked short of pace at times in the first half and when he was forced into a switch when Fernandinho limped off, he decided to introduce Leroy Sane. It was a gamble, but with City needing the three points, one worth taking and they instantly looked more of a threat, scoring within minutes.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Ederson, 7 -- Came off his line quickly to make a couple of assertive saves when Marcus Rashford escaped around the back.
DF Kyle Walker, 7 -- Curtailed his forward running in a controlled performance. No problems defensively.
DF Vincent Kompany, 7 -- Had a difficult time early on against the speed of Rashford, taking an early booking, but soon put it behind him.
DF Aymeric Laporte, 8 -- Recovered from his nightmare against Spurs with a composed and strong performance.
DF Oleksandr Zinchenko, 7 -- Looked to help the attack but a silly booking put him under unnecessary pressure.
MF Fernandinho, 7-- Controlled the midfield and helped stopped United's counter-attacking until he was forced off after a huge tackle on Pogba.
MF Ilkay Gundogan, 8 -- Struggled to impose himself on the game in the opening 20 minutes but was soon running the game, particularly when he switched to holding midfield.
Maybe Man City's player of the season, the unsung Bernardo Silva came up big again at Old Trafford for Pep Guardiola.
MF David Silva, 7 -- Drifted into dangerous positions that United couldn't deal with and threaded clever balls through United's compact defence.
FW Bernardo Silva, 9 -- Came up with the crucial opener with a quick run and low drive in another all-action performance.
FW Sergio Aguero, 7 -- Wriggled free of Smalling's touch-tight defending and shaved the post with long-range effort.
FW Raheem Sterling, 8 -- Worried United's full-backs all evening with his ability to go past them in both directions and was unlucky with a clever, dancing run in the first half.
Substitutes
FW Leroy Sane, 8 -- Drilled in City's second as he continued to cause Ashley Young problems.
FW Gabriel Jesus, N/R -- Late change.
DF Danilo, N/R -- Barely got a run out.
Source: espn.co.uk