Manchester United pulled off a stunning comeback against Manchester City, scoring two late goals to snatch a 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium. Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo were the heroes, scoring in the 88th and 90th minutes, respectively, to hand City their eighth loss in 11 games.
The win was a turning point for United, which has been struggling to find their game in the English Premier League lately.
Lineups
Manchester City: Éderson, Kyle Walker, Rasmus Højlund, Josko Gvardiol, Nathan Aké, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, De Bruyne, Matheus Nunes, Erling Haaland.
Manchester United: André Onana, Lisandro Martinez, Rasmus Varane, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo.
How the Match Unfolded
City took the lead in the 36th minute through Josko Gvardiol’s header from a short corner. The goal resulted from City’s clever set-piece routine, which caught United’s defence off guard. United struggled to create chances in the first half, with their only major chance coming from Amad Diallo’s offside shot at the post.
In the second half, United began to gain momentum, with Fernandes missing a gilt-edged chance to equalize. However, City’s defence was solid, and for a while, it looked like they would hold on for a narrow win. That was until Matheus Nunes’s terrible back pass was seized upon by Diallo, who was fouled in the box. Fernandes converted the penalty in the 88th minute, sending the United fans into a frenzy.
Diallo then sealed the win with a superb finish from a tight angle, sparking wild celebrations among the United players and fans. The goal capped off an incredible comeback for United.
Post-Match Analysis
The victory lifted United to 12th place in the Premier League, while City remained fifth, nine points behind Liverpool‘s leaders. City’s collapse was heartbreaking, as it looked in control until Nunes’s error.
Amad Diallo’s performance was great. He scored the winner and caused problems for City’s defence throughout the game. His pace and skill were too much for City’s defenders to handle, and he proved to be the difference-maker.
City’s ability to defend their title this season is increasingly unlikely, having lost eight of their last 11 games in all competitions. Pep Guardiola’s side looked blunt in attack, and United’s quick counter-attacks exposed their defence.
What the Coaches Said
Ruben Amorim boasted after the game: “We showed today we can win every game,” he said. “The players were fantastic, and we deserved the win.”
Frustrated, Pep Guardiola admitted his team deserved to lose. “We made stupid decisions and paid for that,” he said. “We need to improve our defence and create more scoring opportunities.“
Player of the Match
Amad Diallo’s two-goal performance earned him the player of the match award.
What Next
Manchester United faces Tottenham in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Thursday, followed by a Premier League match against Bournemouth on Sunday. Manchester City travels to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday, looking to bounce back from their disappointing loss.
EPL Top Six Table
Other Fixture Results
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