'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
It was another historical encounter as Manchester City hosted Manchester United at their Etihad Stadium. Manchester City fans witnessed a comfortable victory against their rivals, Manchester United as their team won 3-1.
This was not in any way a landslide victory for Manchester City but they looked formidable at their defence and fluid with the ball as usual. They dominated the ball, had more possession, effortlessly created chances and eventually, won the match by playing orgasmic football. It looked like just another day in the office for Pep Guardiola as his team marched on.
Manchester City dominated the first half as United midfield comprising of Fellaini, Matic and Ander Herrera looked clueless. Anthony Martial's penalty gave United a faint hope- and just a hope but City kept coming and demolished any thoughts of Manchester United making a comeback.
A glance over the impact of the match on both the teams and their standings in the English Premier League.
#1 A vast gap between two rivals
Although the scoreline was 2-1 in Manchester City's favour for a bit but the match was anything but close. Manchester City painted a dominant picture on the pitch over their rivals Manchester United as the superior play from City players left United absolutely clueless.
The Manchester Derby was not what it was once used to be for United fans. It was not comfortable or easy wins for United over City like it was used to be a decade or two ago. But City's latest victory suggests that they are unstoppable at the moment and way superior than their rivals.
United players were left chasing the game as City are currently the best team in the world while passing the ball. Their third goal is a testament to that as they played 44 passes and kept the ball for almost two minutes before the ball ended up in the net. Both David Silva and Bernardo Silva ran the show and United defied logic by staying in the game for so long.
#2 Jose Mourinho is a shadow of his former self
The message was crystal clear for Manchester United as the referee blew the final whistle and put them out of their misery. Jose Mourinho and his team must forget about the title and focus on their way for a Champions League spot. This defeat leaves them 12 points behind their local rivals and they are as close to the relegation zone as they are to Manchester City.
This was Jose Mourinho's 4th league defeat of the season and they are the only team in the top 10 with a negative goal difference. Jose Mourinho's teams are usually rock solid but United are leaking more goals than they have scored this season. It seems Jose Mourinho's famous '3rd season blues' are back and kicking.
Jose Mourinho always complained about City's massive finance regarding transfers but despite spending themselves, United are still miles behind. He asked whether his team can match City next time around after United delivered City their only home loss last season but the truth is they are far behind than ever.
Jose Mourinho hailed City's games before the derby as 'friendly fixtures' but the truth is unless he and his team does something magnificent in the rest of the season, Jose will find himself without a club.
#3 Manchester City- in a league of their own
Manchester City sits top of the English Premier League with only two points ahead of second-placed Liverpool. But their victory only suggests that they are unstoppable at the moment. Manchester City ran circles around the United players with their one-touch passes and fluid movements as they left their rivals helpless once again.
Arguably, Pep Guardiola and co. have dismantled any complaints about their defence which was predominant since last season. The young centre-back duo of Laporte and Stones have delivered and they have conceded only five times in the league this season. They have brushed off challenges from Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool already and dismantled the teams below the top half.
It seems only perfect display throughout the whole season will be enough to win the English Premier League this time around. Maybe not even then. City's champagne football is a testament to the fact that they are untouchable at the moment. And not even the hardcore rival fans will be bold enough to make a case against Manchester City winning the title once again.
