Manchester United beat Manchester City 3-2 to stop them winning the Premier League title this weekend. 2-0 down at half-time saw the side emerge from the dressing room determined to get something from this game. A brace from Paul Pogba in two minutes, inside the first ten minutes of the second half, plus a banger from Chris Smalling saw the red side of Manchester emerge, again!
It really was a game of two halves. United were abject in the first half, despite starting well and seemingly putting up a fight. Conceding the first goal in the 25th minute with Chris Smalling making, yet again, the same mistake which allowed Vincent Kompany to open the scoring really told a story about the defender, who missed another chance to play for England last month.
Five minutes later, İlkay Gündoğan goal shocked United and Smalling was there again, earning a crust at something that he was nothing more than abject at. It was going to be a long day, or so we thought. The end of the first half could not come quick enough and there needed to be a big change of grace to get something from this game. The team talk needed to inspire…
Eight minutes into the second half, United had found a way to get back into the game. Paul Pogba, a player who was being lauded as the scapegoat at half-time, assisted by Ander Herrera scored a stunning goal. It was a start, but United needed to show a lot more. That came, just two minutes later from Pogba again, assisted by Alexis Sanchez, heading a fine finish past Ederson. Pick that out!
United were level and spoiling the party, which could have seen Manchester become blue, or so the berties would suggest, but it was not something that City needed to fight for and that fight was disappearing, much like United’s was in the first half. With just over 20 minutes left, United struck, through the unlikely Smalling, who banged in the winner and ended the prospect of an early City party.
United hung on, which was nerve-racking, ensuring victory, cutting the deficit down to 13 points, seeing City concede three goals in successive matches, continuing their week of distress following the mauling Liverpool gave them at Anfield. Tuesday could see this City side, who were lauded as the best ever Premier League side, be shown for what they are…
Goals: Paul Pogba 53′, 55′, Chris Smalling 69′
Assists: Ander Herrera 53′, Alexis Sanchez 55′, 69′
Manchester United: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Bailly, Young; Herrera (Lindelof 90+4′), Matic, Pogba; Lingard (McTominay 85′), Lukaku, Sanchez (Rashford 82′)
Substitutes Not Used: Pereira; Rojo; Mata; Martial
Bookings: Ander Herrera 37′, Romelu Lukaku 45′