What a game.
An extraordinary Manchester United comeback delayed Manchester City’s title celebrations after a riveting derby at the Etihad Stadium. Paul Pogba’s brace and Chris Smalling’s winner was enough to clinch a dramatic win for Jose Mourinho’s men, having found themselves two down at half-time after goals from Vincent Kompany and Ilkay Gundogan.
Here are the player ratings.
Ederson – 6
The City stopper must have been at a loss to explain how his defenders collapsed in front of him. Having been mostly a spectator in the first-half, apart from saving one Paul Pogba effort, the Brazilian was helpless as United scored three times in the second half to steal the win.
Danilo – 6
The right-back offered City a good outlet going forward, especially early on.
Vincent Kompany – 7
The Belgian centre-half started the game strongly, beating Romelu Lukaku in a few aerial battles before giving City the lead via a thumping header, emulating the goal he scored back in 2012. But he couldn’t guide his side to a title-clinching win over their rivals and, although City will still win the title in the long run, the manner of this defeat will sting their captain.
Nicolas Otamendi – 5
The Argentine endured a nightmare two-minute period in the second half and was culpable for both of Pogba’s goals. For the first, Alexis Sanchez turned the defender to supply the cross and, for the second, Otamendi was at fault again, allowing Pogba to run in behind and head home the equaliser.
Fabian Delph – 5.5
In the build-up to the first goal, the left-back got attracted to the ball and was left out of position. Getting sucked in and failing to win possession from Ander Herrera proved costly as Sanchez exploited the space to devastating effect.
Ilkay Gundogan – 6
The German midfielder did not have a good game against Liverpool but looked a different man at the Etihad, scoring a fantastic goal, getting the better Nemanja Matic before finding the corner. He also missed two excellent chances though, one clipping the outside of the post and the other being headed straight at David De Gea after being found by Fernandinho. Missed chances City would come to rue, of course.
Fernandinho – 6
The Brazilian exuded utter control in the first 45 minutes but couldn’t keep up with a rampant United after the break and should have been sent off for a shocking challenge on Jesse Lingard which angered Pogba and sparked a brief melee in the middle of the pitch.
David Silva – 6
The Spaniard, not rested by Guardiola ahead of the return leg against Liverpool, enjoyed plenty of space in the first-half against a disjointed United defence. Silva looked bright when City dominated possession and was perhaps a tad unlucky not to have won a penalty when his low cross struck Ashley Young’s arm after the United defender slipped.
Bernardo Silva – 5
Pep sprung a surprise by playing the Portugal international as a false nine. Silva struggled to get into the game initially and also passed up a great chance when he poked an effort straight at De Gea having been played through by Sterling. Wasn’t effective enough though in what was a big chance for him to shine.
Raheem Sterling – 5
Mixed fortunes for the forward. Set up Gundogan’s goal but missed two glorious chances soon after. Late on, the former Liverpool winger also misjudged as he missed from point-blank range.
Overall, he was bright, involved and certainly staked his claim for a starting place against Liverpool having been dropped to the bench for the defeat at Anfield. However, Guardiola will surely be disappointed with how Sterling, one of City’s most reliable goalscorers this season, lacked the composure when it mattered in front of goal.
Leroy Sane – 6
The winger was very much involved early on, finding Kompany’s head with his out-swinging corner which handed City the lead. Sane also picked up the ball from a slack De Gea clearance, playing it to Sterling who teed up Gundogan for City’s second. The 22-year-old also picked out Aguero late on but the Argentine couldn’t beat a flying De Gea save.
Subs
Kevin De Bruyne – 6
The Belgian helped City regroup after replacing David Silva and was able to create a few chances but to no avail.
Gabriel Jesus – 5
The forward replaced Bernardo Silva but was unable to find a goal. He did pick up a booking though, hacking down Herrera in injury time.
Sergio Aguero – 6
The striker certainly had an impact from the bench. He should have been awarded a penalty after being fouled by Young and produced a top-class save from De Gea after being found by Sane.
Manchester United
David De Gea – 7.5
He could do little about Kompany’s goal, a bullet header that flew past him, but De Gea will be disappointed with his role in City’s second goal. The United goalkeeper attempted to pass it wide, but the ball reached Leroy Sane and the next time De Gea touched the ball he was taking it out of his net. But, he once again saved his team with a brilliant late stop.
Antonio Valencia – 6
Looked all at sea during the opening half, and conceded the corner which led to Kompany’s goal, but he improved after the break, snapping into tackles and he made some telling interceptions. Rarely crossed the half-way line, so his natural attacking instincts were nullified.
Chris Smalling – 7
He couldn’t prevent Kompany from opening the scoring, allowing himself to be bullied and physically overpowered before the City captain headed home. Smalling was typically jittery in possession and looked extremely uncomfortable in the opening period. If one was to rate his first-half performance, he would receive four out of 10. But, Smalling scored the winning goal and played like a man possessed in the second half, so he just about breaks even after a horror show in the opening half.
Eric Bailly – 6
He’s United’s most reliable defender, but was suspect throughout the first-half, looking lost and in a daze when City got going. Like the rest of his team, he improved after the break, he was on hand to make some clearances.
Ashley Young – 6
On his 400th career appearance, Young struggled, particularly in the opening minutes. He was lucky not to give a penalty away in the first-half with a handball and even more fortunate not to give away another penalty with 10 minutes to go after his tackle on Aguero. He’s had a good season, but wasn’t at his best today.
Nemanja Matic – 6
He was nutmegged by Sane for Gundogan’s goal and then turned by the goalscorer. Once City got going and started to swarm all over United, Matic seemed to struggle to live with their intensity. Improved after the break, protecting United’s back four and allowing Pogba to push forward.
Ander Herrera – 6.5
On his first Premier League start since New Year’s Day, Herrera began well. He was snapping at City’s midfield, getting close to David Silva and showing the energy and bite that made him a key player last season. Like the rest of the United team, he drifted from the game when City took control later in the first-half. He improved after the break, and his assist with his chest for Pogba’s first goal was brilliant.
Paul Pogba – 8.5
We saw the two sides of Pogba today. In the first half, he wandered around, lost the ball and made a mockery of his agent’s supposed attempt to sell him to City. In the second half, he scored two excellent goals with late runs into the area.
9 – Both Chris Smalling and Paul Pogba have won all nine Premier League games in which they've scored; only Ryan Babel has a better 100% record in the competition (11/11). Saviours. pic.twitter.com/xDtTZACjKK
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 7, 2018
Jesse Lingard – 6.5
Made several potentially threatening runs but was rarely picked out by his teammates. However, one of his decoy runs created space for Pogba’s second goal, and he was neat in possession, rarely misplacing a pass.
Alexis Sanchez – 8
Anonymous in the first-half, and then set-up two goals in the second-half with two brilliant crosses. He also worked hard when out of possession and made a couple of key interceptions. Along with Pobga, his class proved the difference on the day.
Romelu Lukaku – 5
He had the fewest touches of any United player, just 23 in 90 minutes. Lukaku was very much on the edge of the game. When he did get on the ball, he soon lost it and first-touch was often poor.
Subs
Marcus Rashford – N/A
Scott McTominay – N/A
Victor Lindelof – N/A
None of United’s substitutes were on the pitch long enough to receive a rating
