Manchester City Extend Unbeaten Streak in Epic Derby WinManchester City Extend Unbeaten Streak in Epic Derby Win Manchester City maintained their imperious form with a scintillating 2-1 victory over local rivals Manchester United in a pulsating Premier League derby on Saturday. The triumph extended City’s unbeaten run in all competitions to 22 matches and consolidated their grip on the title race. The game erupted into life in the 8th minute when Bruno Fernandes pounced on an error from Ederson to give United an early lead. However, City responded with characteristic resilience and restored parity midway through the first half when Ilkay Gundogan tapped home from close range. The second half was a tactical chess match, with both teams creating chances but unable to find a breakthrough. As the match reached its climax, City turned up the pressure and were rewarded in the 82nd minute when Kevin De Bruyne’s sublime cross found Riyad Mahrez, who deftly controlled it and fired it past David de Gea. The Etihad Stadium exploded with joy as City celebrated their hard-fought victory. The result cemented their place at the summit of the Premier League standings, 14 points clear of their nearest rivals, Liverpool. Pep Guardiola, the City manager, praised his team’s character and determination. “We showed great personality and courage after conceding an early goal,” he said. “This was a massive win in terms of the title race.” Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the United manager, acknowledged the superiority of his opponents. “City were the better team today,” he admitted. “They punished us for our mistakes and deserved the win.” The derby victory was a significant milestone for City, who have now won 11 consecutive matches in all competitions. They will look to continue their impressive run when they host Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday. For United, the defeat was another setback in their pursuit of a top-four finish. They remain fifth in the standings, seven points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, and face an uphill battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
