After the first 45 Etihad minutes Manchester City were two up against our arch rivals and marching, with our heads held high to being the first team EVER, to win the Premier League title so early in the season. However, by the time Martin Atkinson blew the final whistle Manchester United had completely shattered Blues hearts.
Mathematically, we know a victory away at Tottenham on Saturday will NOT be enough for City to make it a domestic double. On the flip side, if we can’t get six points out of either Swansea, West Ham, Huddersfield, Brighton or Southampton then MCFC don’t deserve to be crowned champions.
Manchester City player ratings
Ederson – 6.5
Three, virtually unstoppable goals failed to dent his confidence and as ever, made several exquisite passes in order for City to keep their attacking momentum rolling.
Danilo – 6
Not at his best, but that didn’t stop him from putting in a hearty shift. On a different note, I wonder if he’ll be around next season.
Vincent Kompany – 6
Jumping for joy, as he did in 2012 against United following his bullet heading goal sent a shudder down my spine. Other than that I can’t remember Vinny doing an awful lot. Perhaps my alcohol intake may have blurred my vision.
Nicolas Otamendi – 6.5
Outstanding first half but fell away during the second period. Mind you, he wasn’t alone was he?
Fabian Delph – 6.5
Good to see Fabian back in the fold following a short-term injury. Looked sound, as he normally does at the back.
Ilkay Gundogan – 7
Loved his swivel and toe-poke to score City’s second. Just a pity his second half shot, which shuddered the woodwork didn’t find the back of the net. Far better performance than he had last time out at Anfield.
55 thousand fans in the stadium and countless fans in front of the tv… We gave everything to make our shared dream come true!
Unfortunately it wasn‘t meant to be.
Let’s keep our heads up. We have great challenges ahead and soon we‘ll bring home what you all deserve. #comeoncity pic.twitter.com/mtN0ZdTtaT— Ilkay Gündogan (@IlkayGuendogan) April 7, 2018
Fernandinho – 7.5
Never shirks a challenge however, this causes him to see his fair share of cautions and yes, he received yet another one. A rock solid all round display.
Stay focused, go after your dreams and keep moving toward your goals. Come on, City. ???????????????????????? #premierleague #derbyday #together pic.twitter.com/uEmB61qfP0
— Fernandinho (@fernandinho) April 7, 2018
David Silva – 7
I nearly had Merlin as my Man of the Match but changed my mind at the last minute, after giving it to the midfield maestro, Fern. At times David dominated the centre but fell away as the minutes ticked down. Fatigue perhaps?
Raheem Sterling – 6
IF only he had scored his two sitters City would have won the game, and title. Problem is, football is full of ‘ifs and buts’. But hey, I can’t and won’t be too critical, the lad did try his best.
Bernardo Silva – 6
No secret here, especially if you have read my previous player ratings. Yes, I do like Bernardo – his pace, enthusiasm and dribbles can at times take my breath away. Having said all that he wasn’t at his best, hence his average rating.
Leroy Sane – 6
The German international simply cannot do everything himself. I sometimes think Pep puts too much pressure on the young lad, but hey, his performance was far better than his miserable time against Liverpool last week. Some marvellous runs down the left, but in the end he ran out of steam.
Subs
Kevin De Bruyne – 5
Replaced Silva (72). Given too little time to make his mark.
Gabriel Jesus – 4
Came on for Bernardo (72). His petulance shows he has a lot to learn.
Sergio Aguero – 5.5
Replaced Gundogan (76). If he was fit, as he evidentially was, why didn’t Pep put him in the starting XI? Oh wait, Pep doesn’t really like him does he?
Kun should have been awarded a penalty but referee Atkinson saw something different to everyone else. It was just one of those days.
Wasn't meant to be today but it'll come. A big thanks to our fans for their support and now let's focus on Tuesday. All together: c'mon, City! ????????
— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) April 7, 2018
Etihad Stadium
Premier League
7/04/2018 5:30 pm
Attendance: 54259
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Manchester City | Manchester United | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
V Kompany (25) ,I Gundogan (30) | P Pogba (53, 55), C Smalling (69) | ||||||
Ederson | David De Gea | ||||||
Danilo | Antonio Valencia | ||||||
Vincent Kompany | Eric Bailly | ||||||
Nicolas Otamendi | Chris Smalling | ||||||
Fabian Delph | Ashley Young | ||||||
IIkay Gundogan | 76 | Ander Herrera | 94 | ||||
Fernandinho | Nemanja Matic | ||||||
David Silva | 72 | Paul Pogba | |||||
Bernardo Silva | 72 | Jesse Lingard | 85 | ||||
Raheem Sterling | Romelu Lukaku | ||||||
Leroy Sane | Alexis Sanchez | 82 | |||||
Substitutes |
|||||||
Claudio Bravo | Joel Dinis Castro Pereira | ||||||
Kyle Walker | Victor Lindelof | 94 | |||||
Sergio Aguero | 76 | Marcos Rojo | |||||
Aymeric Laporte | Juan Mata | ||||||
Kevin De Bruyne | 72 | Anthony Martial | |||||
Gabriel Jesus | 72 | Marcus Rashford | 82 | ||||
Yaya Toure | Scott McTominay | 85 |
Game Statistics |
||
20 | Goal attempts | 5 |
6 | On Target | 4 |
8 | Corners | 4 |
17 | Fouls | 9 |
6 | Yellow Cards | 3 |
0 | Red Cards | 0 |
65 | % | 35 |