MANCHESTER, England, (Reuters) – Manchester City’s 21-game winning streak ended by rivals Manchester United yesterday as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side enjoyed a 2-0 Premier League victory at Etihad Stadium.
United won thanks to an early penalty kick by Bruno Fernandes and a second-half strike by Luke Shaw with the result narrowing City’s lead at the top of the table to 11 points over United with 10 games remaining. It was City’s first loss in all competitions since Nov. 21.
Pep Guardiola’s side may prove to be unreadable in the title race but United will take true belief for next season’s well-deserved victory.
Solskjaer is starting to become something of a nemesis for Guardiola – this was Norway’s fourth derby victory since taking over at Old Trafford in December 2018.
City were stunned after 34 seconds when referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot after Gabriel Jesus brought Anthony Martial down just inside the box.
Fernandes grabbed the penalty kick with Ederson getting his right hand into the shot and pressing in the corner to put the visitors ahead.
Shaw had a great chance to double their advantage shortly after the opener but the full-back shot straight at Ederson from good position in the box.
City appealed for a dismissed penalty kick when Raheem Sterling touched Fred in the area and Riyad Mahrez went close just before the break.
After the break, Rodri went closest to a leveler with a sideways foot shot from the edge of the box and hit the end of the post.
And yet, it was a smart idea from United goalkeeper Dean Henderson, again substituting for David De Gea, that undisputed City for the second goal.
Henderson threw a clever and fast ball out to Shaw on the left, which exploded past two City defenders and, after a quick exchange with Marcus Rashford, drove to the bottom right corner.
Martial should have made it 3-0 when he found himself clear on goal after a good job by Scott McTominay but he shot straight at Ederson.
City had some moments in the final stages – substitute Phil Foden’s shot flashed at one point and Sterling’s kick-kick from close range – but they did not find the sublime dominance of their recent victories.
United were solid at the back and crucially shut down the space behind the front line, where City tend to dominate, with McTominay and Fred in charge of that zone.
Yet Solskjaer’s side, especially in the second half, attacked with intensity and purpose with Martial delivering one of his most productive overall performances.