Playing with 10 men for more than 70 minutes, Manchester City triumphed over Manchester United at Old Trafford and painted the town blue on Sunday evening.
Elliot Anderson ran the show for Manchester City in Sunday's hard-fought win at Old Trafford.
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The Manchester derby began intensely and heavily studied between the two sides. Neither United nor City could not create many chances in the first 20 minutes of the match.
When the clock hit the 22nd minute mark, Bruno Fernandes shoved Phil Foden near the left side line. Manchester United’s captain then kicked City’s number 47 in the buttocks, with Foden reacted by swinging his studs into the Portuguese player's stomach.
Referee Michael Oliver decided, with further confirmation from VAR Matt Donohue, that the incident warranted a red card for Foden and nothing for Fernandes, despite pointing for a free-kick to the blues.
For the second part of the first 45 minutes, Enzo Maresca’s side focused on not making any mistakes and had few transitions towards Michael Carrick’s defence.
The hosts hit the post twice: once with a free-kick from Marcus Rashford in the last moments of the first-half and another with Kobbie Mainoo at the start of the second part.
Despite being a man down, Manchester City were imperious in possession, without the ball, mentally and tactically. The Blues kept their composure, having more space to run in behind, as United tried to force their way into the offensive pitch.
City launched a counter on the hour mark. Josko Gvardiol overlapped on the left, received the ball from Antoine Semenyo and whipped it towards the penalty box, as Enzo Fernandez attempted a diving header and could not hit it. However, Erling Haaland was at the back post to score the match-winning goal.
Although initially deemed as offside, the goal was confirmed by VAR with semi-automatic technology, assuring that Fernandez did not play the ball and Haaland was not in an irregular position.
Fernandez himself almost put his name on the scoresheet too; goalkeeper Senne Lammens saved the effort brilliantly and pushed it to a corner via the post. In spite of being one man down, it was the blue side who clearly looked better.
Manchester United did not have a clear cut chance until the very last minute, as Bryan Mbeumo was played inside the area, with Gianluigi Donnarumma, once again, saving Manchester City with an incredible save to deny a late equalizer.
With this result, besides making sure Manchester is blue, City have become the first club to win 10 times at Old Trafford in the Premier League. Maresca will now shift focus to the Carabao Cup third round tie against Norwich City on Thursday night.
Here are five things we learned from Maresca's first Manchester derby win as Blues boss:
Controversy and raw emotion defined a fiery Manchester derby at Old Trafford where, despite Phil Foden seeing red early on, Erling Haaland delivered the decisive blow to prove once again that the city’s football hierarchy remains undeniably blue.cityxtra.co.ukMatch Report & Player Ratings: Man United 0-1 Man City (Premier League)
Controversy and raw emotion defined a fiery Manchester derby at Old Trafford where, despite Phil Foden seeing red early on, Erling Haaland delivered the decisive blow to prove once again that the city’s football hierarchy remains undeniably blue.
1. Erling Haaland AGAIN!
The rumours might be true: Erling Haaland could be a non-stop goalscoring machine. The Norwegian striker had only one opportunity to hurt Manchester City’s biggest rivals and he did so. For the second gameweek in a row, a 1-0 triumph is secured via the number nine.
The Viking has now reached six goals in five matches this season, four in the Premier League and two in the UEFA Champions League. When the Norwegian is at this level, City should just look for him and let the big man do his thing.
Haaland’s pivot is also improving under Maresca as he is now more confident to use his body to shield the ball and distribute the game with expertise. As his decisiveness keeps improving and he gets better as a player, it may be thrilling to think: what is next for the 26-year-old at Manchester City? Painting Manchester in blue looks fine for now.
2. Elliot "King of Manchester" Anderson
Elliot Anderson is only 23 years old. Yet, his performances indicate something else, since he bosses the midfield every match. Even more impressive, every performance looks better than the one before.
City's number five covered the most distance in the derby (11.9km) and was also the player with the most defensive contributions on the pitch (13). Despite having to make up for Foden's sending off, Anderson’s work-rate made sure that City were physically and technically superior against United.
Fernandez’s outing should also be highlighted as both midfielders push each other and make the central areas of the pitch complete. Without Anderson and Fernandez, the win would not have been possible.
3. Reds Shall Not Pass!
Donnarumma, Matheus Nunes, Marc Guehi, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol all arguably deserve a separate topic for the derby. The defence was complete and every integrant delivered when it mattered most.
Nunes covered his side impeccably, especially considering Foden, who was supposed to be at his side, was sent off early on. Guehi simply did not let anything get past him, with another superb display in sky blue. Dias’ leadership proved to be pivotal when the team needed the most, as he also stopped everything that came his way.
Gvardiol - besides doing his job at the back, shutting down Bryan Mbeumo on the wing - set up Haaland for the winner. Donnarumma made the biggest save of the weekend across the Premier League to keep the three points in blue.
A famous saying goes “Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles”. In the derby, the backline won the match.
4. Whistle Trouble at Old Trafford
Whenever the Manchester Derby is played at Old Trafford, the decision making from the referees and VARs look doubtful. Jeremy Doku received a high foot on the knee from Diogo Dalot in January and nothing was given. Fernandes’ goal in January 2023 was not overturned after Rashford protected the ball in an offside position - and the list goes on.
On Sunday, Foden made a mistake when he overreacted and retaliated against Fernandes. However, it was the United skipper who kicked out first, after having already pushed the City star. The Portuguese should have also been punished with a card - yellow or red. This decision changed the way of the game.
Oliver also participated far too many times, as he found the way of the ball on three separate occasions throughout the full 90 minutes, having to stop the play and the rhythm of the Derby. Improving is needed from the whistle in the Premier League.
5. Mentality Monsters
More than 70 minutes playing with 10 men looks haunting for some. Not for Manchester City. The immediate reaction from the players as Foden walked towards the tunnel was to support the number 47 and make sure they were all locked in for the remaining action.
In moments like this, this is the difference between City and other sides: the confidence, the guts, the feeling of knowing how to suffer and punish at the right moment. Maresca’s reaction at full-time depicted exactly how it feels to be a blue - brave, confident and proud.
This win will be remembered for ages, especially if the club is to fight for the title later in the campaign. Overcoming challenges is nothing new for Manchester City, principally when things seem to be going on the wrong side.