A much anticipated clash between the two cross city rivals, viewed by millions from across the globe, ended with no goals to show for all the hype around it, after a disappointing 0-0 draw. Liverpool were on course for their first win under new boss Jurgen Klopp thanks to Christian Benteke’s thumping header but Sadio Mane spoiled the party with a scrambling effort late on.
Martin Rickett/PA Wire
Manchester City visited Old Trafford without likes of Sergio Aguero, City’s top scorer in the league, and the gifted technician David Silva, who were out through injury. The Citizens had 4 attempts on goal but none of them required David De Gea’s attention in the first half. Meanwhile, Man United, in the first half, had a greater share of possession but not one attempt to show for all the passing and steady build up. All eyes were particularly on new signings Anthony Martial and Kevin De Bruyne for their respective clubs. The young Frenchman kept knocking on his countryman, Bacary Sagna’s door and more often than not, the former-Arsenal defender had no answers for them. Despite the constant threat on the break, due to the Red Devils’ lack of productivity and decisiveness in the final third, not many clear-cut chances were created, as Joe Hart was untroubled in the first half.
Kevin De Bruyne on the other hand was slightly disappointing, given a blistering start to his City career, as he was unable to create chances for target man Wilfred Bony. However, the Belgian did link up well with veteran Yaya Toure on many occasions which lead to the formation of a few half chances, which the hosts could comfortably deal with. Chris Smalling came closest to scoring as Ander Herrera’s free-kick was looped onto Fellaini’s head who knocked it down to set up the 25 year-old defender, whose attempt was denied by the strong fists of England No. 1, Joe Hart at the near post. Overall, both backlines were solid and denied the attacking flair that each side possessed. The significance of this fixture probably got the better of both teams as neither side was prepared to take risks in order to not concede. This was also the first goalless encounter that Manuel Pellegrini’s men have been part of in 20 months. The repercussion of this game meant that Manchester City stay on top of the league on goal difference while Man United, fall down one step to East Londoners, West Ham United, also, on goal difference.
AFP/Getty
Liverpool hosted Southampton at Anfield in Klopp’s first league home game and the Reds seemed to have fully embraced the eccentric German’s strategy of gegenpressing – moving up the pitch to immediately close down counter-attacks – a style which has impressed fans and pundits alike but the sheer lack of attacking firepower has let Klopp down. With Danny Ings out for the season and the incredibly fragile Daniel Sturridge out through yet another injury, Divock Origi started as an out-and-out striker for the third game running but was hauled off at half-time after yet another poor show. On the other hand, Graziano Pelle was a constant threat up front and along with Mane, gave the Liverpool defence quite a scare on multiple occasions. Liverpool quite according to Klopp’s plan, stole possession from the Saints frequently in the middle of the park but without the necessary attacking players, more than half the chances were wasted. Virgil Van Dyk came closest to scoring in the first-half when the Dutch defender was clear on goal but his weak header was saved off the line by Mignolet.
Reuters/Phil Noble
At half-time, Christian Benteke was introduced for the misfiring Origi and had an immediate impact, with a composed lay-off with his chest that had Adam Lallana clear on goal. Both sides threatened with end-to-end action but it was Benteke who made the difference with a glorious header in the 77th minute. James Milner, who put in yet another dogged display, sent in an inch-perfect cross into the box and Benteke outjumped Jose Fonte to thump home a header into the top corner in front of the Kop. But their joy was short lived, when Sadio Mane finished from close range, to deservedly, make matters level. A Southampton free-kick was glanced by Jose Fonte to Gaston Ramirez, who made a gigantic leap to knock the ball across goal for the unmarked Mane to bundle home much to the dismay of the home fans. Mane, who was impressive all night rescued a point for his team but was sent off for two late yellow cards following his equaliser. As Klopp still searches for the elusive first win, Ronald Koeman will be pleased with his side’s performance and quite rightly so, for it would’ve been an unfair result for Southampton if they returned to St Marys without a share of the spoils.
In the hotly contested Tyne-Wear derby, Sunderland moved off the foot of the table with a record sixth consecutive win over the north-east rivals Newcastle, following a 3-0 humiliation at the Stadium of Light. In the dying moments of first-half stoppage time Newcastle captain Fabricio Collocini was shown a straight red for a blatant push on Steven Fletcher and Adam Johnson converted the subsequent spot-kick to hand his side the lead at half-time. Billy Jones doubled his side’s lead with a finish from close range before Steven Fletcher’s volley late-on sealed all three points for the newly appointed Sam Allardyce’s men.
Mark Runnacles/Getty
At Dean Court, Matt Ritchie opened the scoring for Bournemouth after only 49 seconds to shock the visiting Tottenham Hotspur. Harry Kane equalised from the spot, after he was brought down by Artur Boruc in the box. Moussa Dembele doubled his side’s lead before Erik Lamela made it three with a finish from close range. Kane doubled his tally by stabbing Christian Eriksen’s cross home, before he completed his hat-trick with a finish from close range following another Artur Boruc error.
Tim Sherwood was sacked as Aston Villa following a string of disappointing results this season, only 8 months after taking the job. Aston Villa said in a statement: “The board believes the results on the pitch were simply not good enough and that a change is imperative.”
Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick, as Barcelona joined Real Madrid at the top of the table following a 3-1 win against 10-man Eibar.
Credits to Sahil Bhinde for the Manchester United vs Manchester City report
Tags: EPL news Manchester derby
