The title race may be over.
Well, it certainly wasn’t the most absorbing Manchester derby in recent memory, but Manchester City fans won’t care.
Pep Guardiola’s side are now 11 points clear of rivals Manchester United after a 2-1 win at Old Trafford where Nicolas Otamendi and David Silva were the scorers for the second Premier League game in a row as United’s title hopes were dealt a mortal blow.
Silva opened the scoring before Marcus Rashford equalised on the stroke of half-time. United huffed and puffed but it was Otamendi who sealed the points on an afternoon when you got the sense that this season is only going to end one way: with City lifting the trophy.
FT: #MUFC 1 Man City 2. pic.twitter.com/XIRWM5hP4p
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 10, 2017
Here are the player ratings.
Manchester United
David De Gea 6
The Spaniard produced a characteristic array of first-class saves but could do nothing about either of City’s strikes.
Antonio Valencia 5
Was unable to get forward as often as he would have liked.
Chris Smalling 6
Was kept on his toes by the always-dangerous Gabriel Jesus but stuck to his task well.
Marcos Rojo 6
Jesus left him on his arse at one point and the Argentine looked as though he was struggling before being replaced by Victor Lindelof at half-time.
Ashley Young 6
The in-form left-back switched off for a second to leave Silva onside from the corner which led to City’s first goal.
Nemanja Matic 6
Seemed to be struggling to keep City’s midfield in check early on but recovered to have a solid second-half.
Ander Herrera 5
Doesn’t offer the same threat going forward as Paul Pogba and didn’t cover himself in glory when he threw himself to the ground under Otamendi’s challenge.
79' – Herrera is booked for simulation after Otamendi seemed to catch his foot in the box. #MUFC #MUNMCI
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 10, 2017
Marcus Rashford 7
Clinical. United’s front men didn’t have much to go on for most of the game but the 20-year-old was alive to pounce on Delph’s mistake and tuck away the equaliser.
Jesse Lingard 6
Has recently recaptured his best form and, while he didn’t sparkle here, he released Lukaku with a cutting pass only for the striker to blaze his effort over the bar.
Anthony Martial 7
Looked United’s most dangerous player on the break but was unable to create a clear-cut chance.
Romelu Lukaku 4
What a nightmare. Not only did the Belgian forward spurn presentable goalscoring opportunities, he was at fault for both of City’s goals in his worst game for United.
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) December 10, 2017
Manchester City
Ederson 7
There was nothing he could do to stop Rashford’s goal but he made sure of the win with a brilliant double-save to deny Lukaku and Juan Mata late on.
Kyle Walker 6
Showed impressive pace to keep up with Lukaku and Martial at times. Another solid display.
Nicolas Otamendi 7
The centre-half scored his second winner in a week, finishing impressively on the volley to give his side three points.
Keep working, boys! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/UJp1LE4upU
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 10, 2017
Vincent Kompany 6
The City captain kept a close eye on Lukaku in the first-half but was replaced by Ilkay Gundogan at the break.
Fabian Delph 5
His misjudgement allowed Rashford to steal in and net the equaliser but his blushes were spared by Otamendi.
Fernandinho 6
The Brazilian’s positional sense freed Silva and De Bruyne to an extent in another doggedly determined performance.
Kevin De Bruyne 5
Wasn’t the Belgian’s best game but luckily City are a team dripping with attacking quality.
David Silva 7
The Spaniard scored the opener and was constantly a threat in possession. Everything went through him.
YEEEEEAAAAAAHHHH!! COME ON, @21LVA!! pic.twitter.com/NdkD1tKbBF
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 10, 2017
Raheem Sterling 5
Young did as good a job as anyone this season in keeping the prolific winger quiet.
Leroy Sane 6
His ability to carry the ball forward with such pace and purpose was a real asset in getting City up the pitch.
Gabriel Jesus 5
Preferred to Sergio Aguero, the Brazilian failed to shine here and was taken off on the hour for Eliaquim Mangala.
