The title may still be beyond them, but Manchester United reminded the noisy neighbors that they will not walk away quietly.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer engineered his third straight win at the Etihad Stadium to end Manchester City’s formidable 28-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.
United’s victory may have only reduced City’s lead over them to 11 points, but it provided a timely reminder of their enduring quality, despite its inconsistency.
For Solskjaer, this was a vindication of his tactic and approach, after three straight goalless draws raised legitimate doubts about the perceived progress under his command this season.
The victory also extended United’s unbeaten streak in the league to 22 games, although when they can dominate like that, their fans have a right to wonder why they can’t win more on the road.
For City, the big question now is how this loss will affect the rest of the season and their hopes for an unprecedented quadruple trophy trophy.
With such an impressive lead with 10 games to go, the title is still destined for the Etihad, but it remains to be seen how this setback affects their confidence in the other three competitions.
United made a perfect start, receiving a penalty after 35 seconds following an awkward and unnecessary challenge from Gabriel Jesus on Anthony Martial, as he danced across the edge of the area.
Although Ederson put a hand on the ball, there was too much power in Bruno Fernandes’ penalty shot, who raised his goal count to 23 for the season.
(Image: Peter Powell / POOL / EPA-EFE / REX / Shutterstock)
It was the first time in 20 league games that City had lagged behind, a streak dating back to 21 November, when they lost 2-0 at Tottenham, after which they continued their formidable run.
Despite that initial setback, City settled into their familiar pattern of possession, with United forced to sit down and adopt a containment policy, hoping to hit their opponents on the fast break.
Yet despite all their possession thereafter, United never seemed to give in, due to a combination of their own impressive defensive diligence and City’s extravagance in the final third.
Although City created promising starts, they lacked their usual clinical advantage when it mattered, and their bland play provided United with few problems, from which Solskjaer’s side gained in confidence.
(Image: POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
(Image: Pool via REUTERS)
Just before the break, Riyad Mahrez pushed his way through a trio of red jerseys, before Ilkay Gundogan picked up the fumble, only to meekly shoot Dean Henderson.
And at halftime, Jesús was unable to connect with a drilled ball from Mahrez at the far post, as City’s frustration grew with their inability to get back to the same level.
City hit the crossbar within two minutes of the restart, Rodri hitting it after a clever setup play involving Mahrez and Jesús.
It proved a costly failure, as United doubled their lead three minutes later.
Henderson’s quick thinking saw him find Luke Shaw with a low shot, and the winger passed the ball first to Joao Cancelo and then to Kevin De Bruyne, who was unwell at all times.
Shaw entered the penalty area and, after exchanging passes with Marcus Rashford, directed a low shot through Rodri’s legs and past Ederson, into the far corner.
Martial had a chance to make it 3-0 in the 68th minute, but fired meekly, allowing Ederson to block his close-range effort.
It did not matter, since United repelled everything that City had, which in the end was very little.
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