3 reasons why Manchester City beat Manchester United

#3: Pep has City drilled to perfection

Ilkay Gundogan finished a move that featured an astonishing 44 passes

Last season, Guardiola’s City side were frighteningly dominant – breaking the Premier League’s records for most points in a single season, most wins in a single season and most goals in a single season too. And judging by their showing today, it feels like they’re somehow getting even better.

Guardiola famously innovated the ‘tiki-taka’ way of playing during his time as Barcelona manager, but history has now proven that the style – which relies heavily on a team taking the lion’s share of possession and being able to complete countless passes – is only effective if a team has the thrust and verve to make something of all that possession.

Results like England’s 2-3 win over Spain prove that possession isn’t everything, but City simply don’t do “possession for the sake of it”. Every pass that Guardiola’s men complete is seemingly with a purpose – and this was illustrated well today with the way their third goal was scored.

Substitute Ilkay Gundogan slotted home City’s final goal following a move that involved an insane 44 passes and saw the ball moved on by almost every player on the pitch who was wearing a blue shirt. When City are capable of moves like this, what chance did United ever stand?

Guardiola’s side made the most of their possession (65%), the most of their passes (703 completed) and the most of their pass accuracy (91%). In a lot of respects, they never truly allowed United to play their own game. Pep has drilled his side to perfection, and to be honest, on this form it’s hard to see anyone stopping them.