Pogba orchestrates incredible three-goal comeback to spoil City's celebrations

- Stars rested -

Despite the fact that a win would have meant City could lift the title in front of their rivals, Pep Guardiola decided to start the game without Kevin De Bruyne or Gabriel Jesus, with an eye on City's Champions League second-leg against Liverpool, however the home side did not miss their two stars at all in the first half.

The game started off quite end-to end, but the home side didn’t take long to impose themselves, with a midfield of David Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Fernandinho controlling the centre of the park.

- First half domination -

City began to dominate possession, and they capitalised in the 25th minute through their captain Vincent Kompany. The big Belgian used his strength to shake off Chris Smalling from a corner, rising and thumping in a powerful header that David De Gea was powerless to stop.

The ‘Sky Blues’ didn’t take long to double their lead, scoring a lovely team effort in the 31st. A poor pass from De Gea was collected by Bernardo Silva, who laid off Gundogan. The German gave it to Raheem Sterling, who cut inside his man and returned it to Gundogan, who turned his defender and fired past De Gea.

- Game of two halves -

At half time everything looked set for the title celebrations to begin for the home fans, but Manchester United would end up spoiling the party. Jose Mourinho must have had some serious words at half time, because after a first half in which United enjoyed 34% possession and didn’t register a single shot, they came out of the changing room after the break a different beast.

Paul Pogba had looked the liveliest player on the pitch for United, and he followed a couple of missed attempts up with a quick-fire brace in the 53rd and 55th minutes of the game. First he dinked the ball over Ederson from close range after a Herrera chested a ball to him. Then, two minutes later he got on the end of a lovely ball from Alexis Sanchez, who had cut inside and hit a perfect early cross into the box. Pogba headed it past Ederson to equalise for the visitors.

Then, in the 69th minute, the game was turned completely on its head. Once again Alexis Sanchez was instrumental, as the Chilean won a foul down the left wing, and delivered the subsequent set-piece. He put a dangerous ball into the City box, and Chris Smalling was there to steer it past Ederson, crushing the home fans’ hopes of bragging rights over their local rivals.

- Fiery finish -

The game ended in a fiery manner, with City throwing everything at United, as Pep brought on De Bruyne and Jesus, followed by Sergio Aguero, in an attempt to salvage a draw. Aguero should have been given a penalty in the 77th minute, when Ashley Young put in a late challenge on him, but he was instead shown a yellow for dissent.

A series of ruckuses followed, as tempers flared, but City were unable to find an equaliser, in part thanks to a wonder-save from De Gea. Their dream of lifting the title right before the jealous eyes of Man Utd were ruined. City will without a doubt still lift the title, but the celebrations have been postponed for now.

 

April 7, 2018