Manchester United pulled off a dramatic 2-1 comeback win against their rivals Manchester City in the latest Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium. The match was filled with twists, with City initially taking a 1-0 lead at halftime thanks to Josko Gvardiol’s close-range header. This goal seemed to give City a glimmer of hope for a rare win, as they had struggled recently and were hoping to turn around a poor run of form, with just one win in their previous 10 matches across all competitions.
Despite City’s lead, they were not at their fluent best, and the atmosphere around the match felt less intense than usual for a derby. United, under the management of Ruben Amorim, also faced challenges adapting to the new system. The game seemed to be slipping away from United as they found it difficult to break down City’s defense.
However, the match turned in the final minutes due to two significant moments. The first came in the 86th minute when City midfielder Matheus Nunes made a costly mistake. Nunes attempted a back pass to goalkeeper Ederson but underhit the ball, allowing Amad Diallo to close in. In trying to recover, Nunes fouled Diallo, giving United a penalty. Bruno Fernandes stepped up and confidently sent Ederson the wrong way, equalizing for United.
The drama didn’t end there. In injury time, United’s Lisandro Martinez played a brilliant ball through to Amad, who showcased quick thinking with a clever flick over Ederson’s head. Although Amad’s finish wasn’t clean, it found its way into the far corner of the net, securing a sensational comeback victory for United. The goal also went just beyond the reach of Gvardiol, who was trying to defend on the line.
The defeat for City was especially damaging as it marked their fifth loss in the last seven Premier League games. This result leaves them nine points behind leaders Liverpool, deepening their concerns about their form as they approach the halfway point of the season
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In terms of individual performances, Bruno Fernandes earned the highest rating (8.6/10) for his leadership and crucial penalty, while Amad Diallo also impressed with his key role in both goals, earning an 8.7/10 rating. Lisandro Martinez was also noted for his important assist, receiving a solid 7.8/10 rating. Meanwhile, City’s lack of fluidity in attack and their defensive mistakes, particularly Nunes’ error, contributed to their downfall.
The match provided a stark contrast in fortunes for the two sides, with United showing resilience and late-game determination, while City’s struggles continue to hinder their title aspirations.