City 1 Man United 2
Dec 7th 2019 att.54,403
This was disaster from the first whistle. Almost every time United came into our half on a counter they looked like scoring. Fortunately Ederson made some good saves otherwise the game would have been over at half time. Although we had over 70% of possession we had few shots on target I am pretty sure we can wave goodbye to the league title this season. It will take a miracle to catch Liverpool now. There is some work to be done in defence and also City must have a plan B when opponents defend in depth. We tend to play exactly the same way all the time instead of varying it. Yes there were too many defensive flaws alas and new players must come.
City made only one change from the win at Burnley - Stones coming in for Otamendi
As expected the visitors filled their section
Maguire heads clear an early City attack
In the second minute United almost scored Ederson having to save from James
an effort by De Bruyne is blocked
United clear a City corner
A shot from Silva is blocked
A shot from De Bruyne goes over the bar
Ederson saves from Lingard
was there a handball!!!!!
City appeal but nothing given
Ederson saves from Martial
Rathford is about to shoot but City manage to block and the ball is cleared but........
....the dreaded VAR is called for ........
...and it's a penalty and a yellow for Benardo and alas Rashford sends Ederson the wrong way to give United the lead
So disaster struck early for City
A few minutes later and it should have been two but Rashford fed by Fred shot wide when well placed.
shortly after Rashford hit the bar
However on 29 minutes Martial made it two nil
His shot beat Ederson on the near post and the United fans went mad
David Silva has a shot saved
De Gea saves a cross from Walker
Jesus has a good chance but heads wide
Oh dear! That was a bad miss!
a free kick taken by De Bruyne goes just over the bar
Rodrigo is brought down by Lingard but the free kick taken by Silva is saved easily
Surely that must be a penalty -Fred handled! - nothing doing - no VAR! - half time - two down!
De Bruyne has a shot blocked
United on a break yet again
Walker brings down Lingard but City clear the free kick
Martial effort is blocked by Walker
Stones is down injured - Otamendi comes on
City continue to try and break down the United defence but no luck yet
Pep is pensive - Solskjaer contended - Mike Dean - still alive!
Rodrigo has to jump over the diving Ederson
De Gea has to make a good save from Rodrigo and they clear the corner
Mahrez on for Benardo just shoots wide
Ederson saves from Lingard
It looks like we have a problem at the corner
reports later say it is a racism issue
United clear another corner
A header from Otamendi goes wide
Sterling is brought down.....
..and the incident ends with a yellow card for Pereira
The secret sniper has been at it again but Kevin gets a yellow card!
Lingard has a chance but Ederson saves once more
With five minutes left City get a corner and this time Otamendi heads past de Gea to cheer the North Stand
No time for celebrations -back to the middle
nearly full time and Mahrez has a shot saved
Five added minutes but United see them out at the corner and with a packed defence!
team
Ederson 7.5: Walker 5,Fernandinho 5.5, Stones 5 (Otamendi 6) Angelino 5: Rodri 6 (Gundogan) , De Bruyne 6.5,
Silva 5, Benardo 5 (Mahrez) Sterling 5, Jesus 5
