The Manchester City regained a six-point lead over Liverpool after a convincing victory against Manchester United (4-1), this Sunday in the 28th day of the Premier League, which allows him to establish himself in the lead and leave his rival out of Champions League positions.
United’s defeat allows the Arsenal move up to fourth position, following their 3-2 win at Watford (19th and penultimate) and aim for the classification to the Champions.
Against some Red Devils, weakened by the absences of Cristiano Ronaldodue to hip problems, and Raphael Varanepositive for COVID-19, Manchester City with a double from the Belgian Kevin deBruyne and another from Algerian Riyadh Mahrezdominated the derby and consolidated his position as leader.
With 69 points, the citizens They are six units ahead of Liverpool, who have one game in hand, and who won on Saturday at West Ham by 1-0.
for the men of ralph ragnickmeanwhile, this defeat is very bad news, surpassed in fourth position by the Arsenal (48 points vs. 47) and with three more games than the Gunners.
“It was a difficult game, which shows that we still have a long way to go to reduce the difference”, said the German coach.
Unable to stop City’s attacks, especially down the right flank, where Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva did what they wanted, United stayed in the game thanks to a goal from Jadon SanchoCity youth squad, after a well-directed counterattack that ended with an extremely precise shot (1-1, minute 22).
De Bruyne and Mahrez doubles
But United never raised their level of play enough to seriously threaten the locals, who gave a recital from minute 5, with a goal from Kevin deBruyne after a good collective action (1-0).
After Sancho’s equalizer, the Citizens went ahead again through a goal from the Belgian in the 28th minute (2-1).
In the second half, City dominated their neighbors and after a volley from Mahrez (3-1, minute 68) and a duel between the Algerian and David De Gea (4-1, minute 90), closed a result that could have been more bulky.
“My greatest success as a manager is that after having won three Premier League titles, we continue to run as we do and try to win the title again,” said the manager. Spanish Pep Guardiola after the encounter.
A cruel blow for Manchester United, which risks losing the financial blessing of the Champions League, in a preseason in which it will need funds to rebuild a competitive team.
Arsenal for its part, out of Champions League positions since the 2016/2017 season, could end its long absence this season.
A good dynamic, an increasingly established game plan and a calendar free of other competitions are Arsenal’s best assets to achieve their goal of finishing the season in the ‘top 4’ of the Premier League.
Arsenal triumph
Against the Hornets, 19th and three points from safety, the Gunners They showed their recital of offensive qualities, scoring three goals after firm and well-converted combinations.
A good game between Martin Odegaard and English Bukayo Sakaallowed the Norwegian to open the scoring (minute 5, 1-0).
Saka was also involved in the second goal, after converting a support from Alexander Lacazette (2-1, minute 30). The French striker attended the Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli to extend the advantage (3-1, minute 52).
“I don’t like to look at the table a lot because we have pending matches”, declared the Spanish coach Mikel Arteta about the fight for the Champions League. “I know the objective and it is only one, to try to improve tomorrow what we have done today”, he added.
The small lack of concentration in Arsenal’s defense first allowed the Colombian Cucho Hernández to equalize with an acrobatic goal (1-1, minute 11) and, later, the Frenchman Moussa Sissoko reduce distances in the final stretch (3-2, minute 87). ). (D)
Source: Eluniverso
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