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City outclass Man U 4-1 in derby

Published:Monday | March 7, 2022 | 12:09 AM
Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez (second right) scores his side’s fourth goal during the English Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United, at the Etihad stadium in Manchester, England yesterday.
AP
Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez (second right) scores his side’s fourth goal during the English Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United, at the Etihad stadium in Manchester, England yesterday.

MANCHESTER, England (AP):

Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez both scored twice to allow Manchester City to outclass Manchester United for the second time this season, winning the derby 4-1 yesterday.

For City, a six-point lead was restored at the top of the Premier League over Liverpool. For United, the fourth Champions League spot has been surrendered for now after Arsenal won 3-2 at Watford.

City took only five minutes to go in front, with Bernardo Silva cutting back for De Bruyne to shoot through United captain Harry Maguire’s legs and past goalkeeper David De Gea.

United levelled with a superb counter-attack in the 22nd minute completed by Jadon Sancho. Paul Pogba sprayed a fine ball to put the 21-year-old Sancho through on the left. The City academy graduate had a lot to do given he was up against Kyle Walker, but he cut past the right back and Rodri before bending a strike into the far corner from just inside the box.

FOLLOW-UP SHOT

City took only six minutes to regain the lead. Phil Foden brilliantly flicked the ball over Victor Lindelof before his shot was parried by De Gea. Bernardo Silva’s follow-up shot was blocked before Alex Telles inadvertently poked the ball into the path of De Bruyne to score his second.

It was Mahrez’s turn to contribute the goals in the second half at the Etihad Stadium.

De Bruyne assisted for his first, with a corner from the left met by Mahrez with a stunning half-volley that flew in via a slight deflection off Maguire in the 68th.

There was initially an offside reprieve for United in the 90th, but then the VAR review did allow Mahrez’s strike to count.

Taking into account the two league games between the neighbours this season, City have outscored United 6-1. In the day’s first game, Bukayo Saka scored one goal and set up another as Arsenal edged Watford. A cut-back from Saka enabled Martin Odegaard to slot in his fifth goal of the Premier League season after five minutes.

The lead lasted only six minutes as Cucho Hernandez’s acrobatic volley equalised for Watford.

But Arsenal went back in front in the 30th minute with a cleverly crafted goal from Saka. The England forward dispossessed Tom Cleverley before passing to Alexandre Lacazette, who held the ball up then back-heeled the ball back for Saka to fire in.

Gabriel Martinelli capped an impressive Arsenal performance as he curled the ball past goalkeeper Ben Foster seven minutes into the second half.

The Gunners looked to be cruising before Moussa Sissoko pulled one back in the 87th minute, but the hosts were unable to find an equaliser.

The result lifted Arsenal to fourth on 48 points, one point above Manchester United and three games in hand. Watford remain next-from-last in the standings.