City's unbeaten run ends after derby defeat

The Blues’, beleaguered by defensive set-backs, were far from our best as the home side tapped into the new manager bounce that Michael Carrick’s arrival has clearly brought.

Diogo Dalot was lucky not to see red after 11 minutes for a nasty challenge on Jeremy Doku, but City, missing nine first teamers, just ran out of steam as the game wore on.

Second-half goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu settled a game that we could only muster one shot on target.

The Game in 250 words

As first-halves go, City were more than a shade lucky to go in level at the break.

Harry Maguire struck the crossbar with a header just three minutes in to fire a warning shot across the Blues’ bows.

But United should have perhaps been reduced to ten men with 11 minutes played after Diogo Dalot’s high challenge on Jeremy Doku left the Belgian writhing in pain.

Replays showed the United defender had gone studs in above Doku’s knee, but VAR backed Anthony Jones’ on field decision to show a yellow instead of a red card.

It was a pivotal moment in the game.

City had plenty of possession, but struggled to get any attempts on goal, while United had several opportunities.

Patrick Dorgu forced a fine save from Gianluigi Donnarumma on 23 minutes and both Amad and Bruno Fernandes saw goals ruled out for offside.

The Blues’ only attempt of note in that first 45 was Max Alleyne’s header being clawed away by United keeper Lammens not long before half-time.

Pep Guardiola reacted by bringing Nico O’Reilly and Rayan Cherki on at the break, with Foden and Alleyne making way.

City were better following a few tactical tweaks, but United came mightily close again on 57 minutes when Amad cut in and forced Donnarumma into a fine double save as he then kept out Casemiro’s follow-up attempt.

Donnarumma again made a fine stop from Mbeumo five minutes later as United pressed for the opener, and on 64 minutes, it finally came as City were caught 4 v 2 on the counter and Mbeumo finally beat the big Italian with a low angled shot.

Dorgu doubled the lead on 76 minutes as he turned in Cunha’s cross to end the contest.

STARS DON’T ALIGN FOR CITY

It was perhaps the worse time to face a rejuvenated United side.

The home side, with a new interim manager and two of their best players returning from AFCON duty, were  more aggressive in the tackle and the press on a day when our injury issues perhaps finally caught up with us.

It was also comfortably United’s most effective display of a topsy-turvy season.

So, it was a painful day in many ways, but we will move on to the next game and put this loss behind us as quickly as possible.

TEAMS

MANCHESTER UNITED: Lammens, Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw (Heaven 90+1), Dorgu, Casemiro (Ugarte 81), Mainoo, Fernandes (Mount 90+1), Amad, Mbeumo (Cunha 71)

SUBS: Bayindir, Malacia, Yoro, J. Fletcher,  Sesko

CITY: Donnarumma, Lewis, Khusanov, Alleyne (O’Reilly 46), Ake, Rodrigo, Bernardo (Reijnders 81), Semenyo, Foden (Cherki 46), Doku (Ait-Nouri 80), Haaland (Mukasa 80)

SUBS: Trafford, Bettinelli , McAidoo,, Mfuni

Bernardo reaction

“They deserved to win today. They had more energy and intention. It always felt like they were close to scoring and we were never there.

“We gave them what they want. They took the game to where they are good and we are not so good.

“Since I arrived here in England we have always been a very controlled team. There was a lot of things missing from us. Definitely a bad day for us.

“It is a big gap [to Arsenal], we won’t lie and say it isn’t a big gap it is. We will fight until the end.”

Pep reaction

“They were the better team. They had something we did not have. I’ve come many times here. but today we were not the level required to win these types of games.

“We had that energy four days ago against Newcastle but not today.

“It was not a bad performance. We didn’t get the result. It happens. It was a football game and they were better.

“They have a new manager, and they had the energy in a derby that we didn’t have.

“We’ve changed a lot of players in the last two transfer windows, and we need to live it.”

What it means

City stay second in the Premier League table, though will fall to third should Aston Villa avoid defeat to Everton tomorrow afternoon.

Arsenal can extend their lead at the top to nine if they take all three points away to Nottingham Forest later today.

Up next

City are off to the Arctic Circle next, with a league phase Champions League clash away to Bodo/Glimt who are yet to win in six outings in this season’s competition.

The game kicks off at 17:45 (UK) on Tuesday, 20 January.

Then the Blues will host bottom of the table - but improving - Wolves at the Etihad in the Premier League.

That game is on Saturday, 24 January with a 15:00 (UK) kick-off.

Next Fixture

All fixtures

Sat 24 Jan

Premier League

Man City

15:00

GMT

Wolves