In the end the Manchester derby delivered in drama and entertainment and it was Premier League leaders Manchester City who triumphed over their rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.

City dominated possession, as you’d expect, but got the win with two scruffy goals through mistakes in the United’s backline. They weren’t beautiful strikes but they all count and Man City now have an eleven point lead at the top of the table.

Let’s not forget that Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool all dropped points during the weekend too and that also proves the yesterday’s win could be a turning point.

Personally I think that is a lead that can’t be overturned this term.

City have played with a real swagger this season. Manager Pep Guardiola is getting more from his players and he’s turning a few of them into world stars.

In Ederson, Pep finally has that consistent sweeper keeper he was desperate for and the defence looks a lot happier with the Brazilian in between the sticks. His double save yesterday to prevent Romelu Lukaku and Juan Mata was splendid and it managed to get his the important win. The goalkeeper has been one of the best buys of the summer!

Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones have improved beyond recognition for last year. They have both repaid the manager’s faith in sticking with them.

Fernandinho is marshalling perfectly in-front of the City defence and that means there are less mistakes at the back.

Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling are playing out of their skins and the fluidity they bring from attacking wide areas is a joy to behold.

With David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, The Citizens possess two magnificent maestros who can unlock any opposition defence. They both bring guile, craft and skill and it’s lighting up the Etihad.

They’ve also got two lethal strikers in Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero, having not one but two prolific goalscorers is invaluable to a team challenging for the title.

The list is almost endless of the star power this City squad have in their ranks. The strength in depth is phenomenal. They can cover for pretty much any injury crisis and that’s why it is hard to see them losing this lead they have at the top.

Yesterday Pep stated:

“People said we couldn’t play the way we did in Barcelona in England,” 

“But it is possible and we did it.”

That must scare a few bosses and owners in England’s top flight because that Barca team dominated matches and silverware.

Every great championship winning team needs luck and even when they aren’t firing on all cylinders they somehow get the victories. Man City have even had that this term.

Supporters of other clubs might be harbouring hope of a collapse, similar to the one that happened at Newcastle United back in the 95/96 season.

For those that don’t know or remember, Kevin Keegan’s Magpies held a twelve point lead in mid January and ultimately threw it away, that allowed Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to overturn it and claim the Premier League trophy.

Like Guardiola’s side, Keegan possessed a swashbuckling team that were very attractive on the eye.

For me, there are a few differences between the two sides that will keep City from falling down the same traps.

Firstly, they have experience within the squad of winning trophies and the Premier League in particular. Those players with that valuable knowledge will help those that haven’t experienced such a title run in before.

Then you have the Pep factor. The man is a born winner and has won titles everywhere he has been. As I’ve already stated, he gets that little bit extra from his squad and he’ll make sure concentration levels don’t slip.

The truth of the matter is this; people are questioning if this Manchester City side will lose at all in the league this season. For a competitor to catch them they’ll need to win all their games and hope City lose at least three, maybe more, and draw quite a few too.

I just can’t see that happening!

Posted on December 11th, 2017 by scott
Filed under: Article