It was even closer than it looked, but Manchester United held on to defeat Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
[ MORE: Recap | JPW’s 3 things ]
It’s a significant jolt for the Red Devils and boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who bewildered City’s backs with lightning quick counters.
Were it not for Ederson, it might’ve been the sort of result that raised worldwide eyebrows. Heck, it probably is, anyway.
Here’s how the players fared as City out shot its guests 22-11 and held onto 71 percent of the ball only to lose the match.
Manchester City
Ederson — 7 — Kept City in the match early, but would’ve liked to have gotten his paw to Martial’s goal.
Kyle Walker — 7 — Quite effective at both ends, including a great intervention in the first half.
John Stones (Off 59′) — 6 — Not involved in either conceded goal before leaving with injury.
Fernandinho — 5 — Not his day.
Angelino — 6 — Lively, but will have wanted to do better on Martial’s goal.
Rodri (Off 86′)– 7 — City’s best player, with four interceptions, more tidy passing, and decisive wins in some big 50-50 challenges.
David Silva — 7 — Four key passes and two shots on target as a promising part of the attack.
Kevin De Bruyne — 7 — A fairly brilliant performance that would normally have netted an assist or two; Five key passes to go with 117 touches.
Bernardo Silva (Off 65′) — 5 — Conceded a poor penalty to Rashford; Won some duels but didn’t manage shot on target.
Raheem Sterling — 6 — Lively, but not his starring self.
Gabriel Jesus — 5 — A pretty terrible day filling in for Sergio Aguero.
Subs
Pep’s subs made a difference, led by goal scorer Nicolas Otamendi (59′). who gets an 8.
Riyad Mahrez (65′) — 7. Ilkay Gundogan (86′) — N/A
Manchester United
David De Gea — 6 — Four saves, one of them great, but failed to claim the corner that became Otamendi’s goal.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka — 8 — United got it right when they splashed the cash to bring this one from Crystal Palace. Might’ve saved a goal off a bad Lindelof giveaway.
Victor Lindelof — 7 — A couple of very dicey moments including a bad giveaway, but overall played his part.
Harry Maguire — 7 — Eight clearances, three interceptions, two tackles, and a blocked shot but to blame along with De Gea for the goal.
Luke Shaw (Off 89′) — 6 — A little wobbly and weary as the match wore on, but credited with six clearances.
Fred — 7 — Had a banner day offensively, dribbling well in tight spaces (4-for-4). Amazing he kept his composure while being racially abused and pelted with objects. Reprehensible.
Scott McTominay — 9 — Outstanding. Won 12 of 15 duels, drew five fouls, and made three interceptions to go with three tackles.
Daniel James — 7 — An efficient day, with some early moments of attacking power.
Marcus Rashford — 7 — Coming into his own.
Jesse Lingard (Off 89′) — 5 — Did very little on the day, one of the only odd and unrewarded decisions from Solskjaer
Anthony Martial (Off 74′) — 7 — Did well to get his shot away for United’s second goal, but that really his only moment of influence on the match.
Subs
Andreas Pereira (74′) — 5 — Pretty poor from the Brazilian, who had a petulant foul or two on the day.
Ashley Young (89′) — N/A; Axel Tuanzebe (89′) — N/A.
