Erling Haaland bagged a brace as Manchester City cruise to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Manchester United had a lot at stake going into the game as they needed all three points to close up on the top four race. Manchester City, on the other hand, needed nothing less from a win to catch up with Tottenham Hotspur, who have crawled to the top with an undefeated run in 10 starts under new boss Ange Postecoglou.
It was another underwhelming performance by the Red Devils at Old Trafford. Manchester City wielded unbroken dominance throughout the game.
Jack Grealish was deadly on the left wing for City, proving too good for Evans and Armrabat. The English midfielder broke into United box at ease but had his crosses cleared for cornerkicks.
Foden also did a great job on the right wing but United put up a good defensive display enough to stop the visitors but they conceded numerous cornerkicks as a result.
After a marathon of pressure, the breakthrough moment for City came in the 24th minute when VAR call for a review of Rasmus Holjund’s challenge on Rodri during a set-piece. The review showed Holjund wrapping his arms around Rodri to bring him down on the penalty box.
The spotkick was awarded and Erling Haaland converted it with ease firing a low shot into the bottom right corner while Onana dived to his left.
It was a deserved lead for the visitors and they were still in control of proceedings looking set to double the lead before the first half break.
Towards the end of the first half, United suddenly picked up their game and were making concerted effort to even the score.
At the stroke of half time, Ederson pulled an astonishing save pointing away McTominay’s thunderbolt strike to deny the Red Devils.
City also came close to doubling the just before the break after an unmarked Haaland latched on Grealish’s pass with a brilliant header but Andre Onana made an incredible flying save to deny the Norwegian.
The first half ended with City leading the lone goal. With a dismal first half, United needed to improve their game in the last 45 to stand a chance of coming out with anything from the game.
Manchester City continued from where they stopped in the second half, dominating proceedings while United fell back in their numbers to defend.
Five minutes into the second half, Erling Haaland came up clutch for City to bag his brace as he heads Bernardo Silva’s chipped cross from the byline into an empty net at the back post.
United were losing control of the game before their own fans as they went down by two goals to the visitors.
In the 80th minute, Phil Foden sealed the win as he ran up to Haaland’s cross and volleyed it pass Andre Onana to a make it 3-0.
The match ended with City cruising to a comfortable 3-0 win after the final whistle to go third on the table with 24 points.
