Manchester City took a huge stride towards the Premier League title by ending Manchester United’s 40-game unbeaten run at Old Trafford.
Goals from David Silva and Nicolas Otamendi, either side of Marcus Rashford’s equaliser, also secured a 14th successive league win for Pep Guardiola’s side, equalling the record previously set by Arsenal.
A late double save by City goalkeeper Ederson, to deny Romelu Lukaku and Juan Mata, ensured victory but the winning margin does not tell the story of City’s dominance over their neighbours.
For long periods, United could not get a foothold, with City retaining possession and forcing the home side to hit long, aimless balls to Lukaku. Rashford’s strike shortly before half-time gave United hope of an unlikely win but Otamendi’s goal, following a defensive mistake by Lukaku, kept them firmly in control of the game.
Having gone unbeaten in the league this season, it will now take an incredible collapse by City for the chasing pack to have any hope of catching them. And with a trip to Swansea on Wednesday, Arsenal’s record will be erased from the record books with another win.
Such is City’s form that another Gunners achievement could be under threat; Guardiola’s team are in with a genuine chance of going through a league season unbeaten, as Arsene Wenger’s “Invincibles” did in 2003-04.
