Manchester City lose to Manchester United: United magically level up and steals the day (time-line summary)

Highlights and how Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial United goals deliver Derby win in thriller.

Manchester United stunned Manchester City with a devastating first-half performance as they won 2-1 at the Etihad, leaving the champions 14 points behind Liverpool.

United were as spectacular as City in the first half as the visitors took a 2-0 lead; A penalty from Marcus Rashford, via the VAR, gave them the advantage (23′) before Anthony Martial fired a low shot from the post from 18 yards (29′).
There was a VAR controversy when City were denied a penalty after the ball caught Fred’s arm from a Kyle Walker cross late in the first half, but they only halved the deficit only in the 85th minute thanks to the header of substitute Nicolas Otamendi after a corner.

City huffed and puffed late, but their title challenge nearly went up in smoke as United held on.
The result means City will have to close the biggest points deficit in top-flight history if they are to retain their title, while United have won their first consecutive game this season and are just five points away of Ole’s top four by weight. Gunnar Solskjaer’s shoulders. How United City were brought down in their own backyard.

In one of the most chaotic first halves in Premier League football this season, United led 2-0 as City crumbled on a scale not seen since their infamous 3-2 loss to United in April 2018.

City were voted champions that day but are now 14 points behind Liverpool after their 3-0 win at Bournemouth on Saturday. 

Daniel James, Jesse Lingard and Martial forced Ederson into smart saves with quick shots from inside and around the penalty area before VAR intervened to hand United a penalty when Bernardo Silva clumsily found Rashford. The United striker has returned home to continue his solid form, scoring 13 in his last 14 for club and country.
City were down and struggling to get back up; Rashford missed a long-range shot for the first time, only Ederson could beat it, then hit the crossbar with a deft loop from the edge, but soon after it was 2-0.

City couldn’t live with United’s front four as Martial played a deft back-and-forth with James before the Frenchman headed home with a left-footed low shot 15 yards from Ederson’s near post.
Gabriel Jesus should have halved the deficit heading wide after a wicked cross from Kevin De Bruyne, while City were denied a penalty late in the first half when Fred acted from a cross from Kyle Walker, but VAR kept this controversy to fair.
City tested early in the second half, but United defended valiantly and denied the hosts a quick return. David De Gea produced an acrobatic stop from Rodri’s fierce effort before Sub Otamendi rose high above Harry Maguire to halve the deficit from a Riyad Mahrez corner with five minutes remaining.

There were flippers in the box later on as City pushed but United held on to leave with three vital points. The pressure was on Solskjaer earlier in the week but United’s traveling fans sang their catalog of odes in support of the Norwegian as he clinched his first win against City as manager or player.
It felt like a pivotal moment for City as the title they had been suspended for two years slipped further and further out of their reach.

“A decent performance by Manchester United”

Analysis by Roy Keane on Saturday Night Football:

“It was fantastic – a real performance by Manchester United. Lots of courage and personality. They were excellent.
“I don’t think it’s a big deal to beat Tottenham at home, but to win today will give the players a lot of confidence because they’ve been criticized – nobody likes to be criticized. But hats off to Manchester United, whatever. in the happened in January.” With speculation, question marks over Ole, they were exceptional.
“It was a Manchester United performance. It wasn’t just about how they countered, but how they handled play, used blocks and showed personality. I really enjoyed watching them – that’s what Manchester United is. But the key is to be consistent week after week. I hope these young players realize that.”