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BOURNEMOUTH take on Sheffield United in a Saturday afternoon Premier League encounter.The Cherries picked up three vital points against Burnley last time out.While the Blades were recently battered by Arsenal 6-0 on their home turf.PADDY POWER WELCOME OFFER – get £40 in free bet builder bets More
CRYSTAL PALACE host Luton in a Saturday afternoon Premier League match – and Luton are in need of the points.The Hatters currently sit 19th and will feel deflated after seeing Lucas Digne fire last week’s opponents Aston Villa to a late win.But Palace will also be licking their wounds as they squandered a one-goal lead to lose 3-1 against London rivals Tottenham.PADDY POWER WELCOME OFFER – get £40 in free bet builder bets More
ALL eyes are on the Europa League tonight with English sides back in last-16 action. West Ham lost 1-0 to Freiburg and were denied a penalty late on by VAR. Earlier in the evening, Liverpool beat Sparta Prague 5-1 thanks to a brilliant brace from Darwin Nunez and Brighton were thrashed 4-0 by Roma in their first leg clash.
Kick-off times: 5.45pm GMT & 8pm GMT
Stream/TV: TNT Sports/Discovery+
Hammers still confident of progressing
Despite defeat in Freiburg this evening, David Moyes’ team will go back to the London Stadium full of confidence that they can turn this tie around.
Only a goal behind, The Hammers have plenty of goals in this team, especially on home soil.
It is all set up now for another classic night in Europe for the club, something they are starting to get used to now.
Copy linkCopiedSeagulls unable to take flight in Rome
Albeit new for Brighton, having to juggle both domestic and European competition, they will be disappointed this evening.
Roberto De Zerbi will feel his team could have given a far better account of themselves in Rome.
Suffering a 4-0 defeat it seems a long way back for Brighton if they are stand any chance of progressing to the next round.
Credit: Getty
Credit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedWaturo does thankless job for Klopp
Defensive midfielders never get the credit they should, especially when you were your club’s third choice to buy after Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
Once again this evening, Waturo Endo put in a solid performance for Liverpool and steadied the ship in the heart of midfield.
If Jurgen Klopp is going to win trophies in his last season with the club, Endo is going to be one of the big players who will have made that happen.
Copy linkCopiedCompetitions need clarity of rules
Rangers can feel hard done by with the penalty they conceded this evening as Souttar was adjudged to have handled in the box.
In this country, that would not be given as he headed the ball onto his own arm with no intention of doing so.
However, it seems in Europe that the rules are different and teams need clarity on this or it will cause more negativity.
Credit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedAge is but a number, class is permanent
Angel Di Maria showed this evening why he is an integral part of the success of this Benfica side, even at the ripe old age of 36-years-old.
He was a constant thorn in the side of Rangers, scoring the penalty that drew the game level in the first half.
Phillipe Clement will need to have a plan to cope with him at Ibrox if they are to make the quarter-finals.
Copy linkCopiedFT: AC Milan 4-2 Slavia Prague
The team who knocked out Newcastle out of Europe look set to have a good chance of making the quarter-finals.
Milan will take a two-goal lead to Prague for the second leg.
It is still anybody’s game, the visitors were definitely hampered by going down to ten-men when having a player sent-off this evening.
Copy linkCopiedFT: Marseille 4-0 Villarreal
A brace from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang helped the French side to a convincing victory in the ’round of 16′.
The Spanish side have a massive mountain to climb if they want to progress to the next round.
Marseille willl feel they are capable of seeing this tie out and booking their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
The visitors did not have one single shot on target during the entire game.
Copy linkCopiedFT: Benfica 2-2 Rangers
The referee brings the game to a close in Portugal.
Not many teams get anything at the Estadio da Luz, Phillipe Clement’s side must take this as a huge performance.
They now get to take them back to Ibrox, which no doubt will be bouncing, for the second leg all level.
Copy linkCopiedFT: Freiburg 1-0 West Ham
It is all over in Germany.
West Ham are edged out in what was quite an even game.
Alvarez gave the ball away on the halfway line, which then led to the goal which Freiburg will try to defend in London.
Copy linkCopiedFreiburg 1-0 West Ham
90+7. Wow. The referee decides no penalty.
We are not used to that in the Premier League, any time an official goes to the monitor, the decision changes.
That seems like West Ham’s last chance of a goal gone.
Copy linkCopiedFreiburg 1-0 West Ham
90+6. The ball hits Noah Weisshaupt’s arm in the box.
West Ham claim for a penalty but the referee is not interested.
VAR is though and sends him to the monitor.
Copy linkCopiedBenfica 2-2 Rangers
86. Roofe is putting in a real shift since coming on for Rangers.
He is chasing down every ball and making sure the defenders have no time on the ball whatsoever.
As he challenges Silva, he screams out in pain trying to get a free kick and a booking for the player,
The referee is not interested and when he realises, making a miraculous recovery and is not injured at all.
We need to start booking players for this, supposed big hard defenders who simulate fouls.
Copy linkCopiedFreiburg 1-0 West Ham
88. Just after the goal, Moyes brings off Ward-Prowse for Phillips.
Not sure whether that is tactical or just to make sure Gareth Southgate did not have a wasted trip to see his favourite player.
Either way, time is running out for West Ham to find an equaliser.
Copy linkCopiedAC Milan 4-2 Slavia Prague
85. Just as the visitors had worked so hard to get back into this game, they let it slip with another goal conceded.
Rafael Leao does well again to lay it on a plate for Pulisic and it is a simple finish for the American.
It gives them a two-goal lead to take into the second leg.
Copy linkCopiedGoal – Christian Pulisic (AC Milan)
Copy linkCopiedFreiburg 1-0 West Ham
81. The deadlock is finally broken in the final ten minutes.
In what has been a very even game, Michael Gregoritsch gets the all important goal in Germany.
Roland Sallai shoots across goal and the Austrian sub nips in between two West Ham players to poke home.
Credit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedGoal – Michael Gregoritsch (Freiburg)
Copy linkCopiedBenfica 2-2 Rangers
67. Rangers have hit the self-destruct button in Portugal.
A curling ball is swung into the box and Goldson only has Rangers players around him, with the ball seemingly heading back to Butland.
Goldson gets his head to it and puts it in the far corner of his own goal.
Copy linkCopiedOwn goal – Connor Goldson (Rangers)
Copy linkCopiedFreiburg 0-0 West Ham
65. Almost the deadlock broken in Germany.
Jarrod Bowen cuts in from the right and bends a left-footed shot towards goal which seems to be heading in.
Noah Atubolu makes a sublime save to deny the visitors a goal.
Copy linkCopiedAC Milan 3-2 Slavia Prague
65. The visitors do not seem to have read the script tonight.
As AC Milan fail to clear their lines in their own box, Schranz reacts quickest to slot the ball home.
This puts the cat amongst the pigeons at the San Siro for the remainder of the game.
Copy linkCopiedGoal – Ivan Schranz (Slavia Prague)
Copy linkCopiedBenfica 1-2 Rangers
56. The Portuguese side are still trying to get forward at any opportunity but Clement’s side are defending well.
Not that it is back against the wall stuff as Rangers have had their fair share of half-chances also.
They just seem to need to show a little more composure in the final third.
Credit: Willie Vass
Copy linkCopiedMarseille 4-0 Villarreal
60. The French side are looking to get this tie won tonight.
A sublime lob from the former Arsenal striker with his left-foot to increase the lead.
This could turn into an even heavier defeat for the Spaniards with 30 minutes of the game still to play.
Copy linkCopiedGoal – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Marseille)
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MANCHESTER CITY have charged into the Champions League quarter-finals after a 6-2 aggregate win over Copenhagen. Manual Akanji, Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland did the damage as City recorded a 3-1 win in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium.Haaland’s strike was his 41st Champions League goal in just 37 appearances in the competition.
Man City XI: Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Ruben, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Nunes, Alvarez, Bobb; Haaland.
Copenhagen XI: Grabara; Jelert, Vavro, McKenna; Ankersen, Froholdt, Óskarsson, Clem, Diks; Achouri, Elyounousssi
That’s all!
A reminder, our full match report from this evening’s game is now live and at the bottom of this post.
A comfortable night for City who will have tougher tasks in the next couple of weeks.
But it’s about getting the job done and they’re ticking along nicely in their Double Treble pursuit.
Goodnight!
Copy linkCopiedWhen is the draw?
For City fans, they’ll have some time to wait before finding out their quarter final opponents.
With the remainder of the ties to be played next week, the draw won’t be until those games have been played.
It’ll take place on Friday, March 15.
Copy linkCopiedInto the hat
It’s shaping up to be a splendid end to the Champions League this season.
Four elite sides have booked their place in the draw and there’s some big teams still to play, too.
Here’s how it’s shaping up:
Man City
Paris Saint-Germain
Bayern Munich
Real Madrid
Arsenal/Porto
Napoli/Barcelona
Inter Milan/Real Sociedad
PSV Eindhoven/Borussia Dortmund
Copy linkCopiedCoincidence?
Here’s a weird one.
Those three goals City scored tonight mean that they’ve now scored EXACTLY three goals in all eight Champions League games so far.
Yep, 24 goals scored and all evenly spread out, in home games and away games up until this point.
Very cool.
Copy linkCopiedJoining the top
Erling Haaland now joins Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe atop the Champions League goal standings this season.
The other two remain in the competition too so this is another dimension to the remainder of the tournament.
Copy linkCopiedPep’s delight
Pep Guardiola reckons the belief and time to build the process is paying off for his Manchester City stars.
He told TNT Sports: “We’re into the next round. Still we are there in this competition. It was difficult to attack them (FC Copenhagen) because they are well organised playing four or five at the back.
“We are well respected for our openness. Before I arrived we didn’t believe we could do it. It’s a question of time, a process. They gave me time, gave us time.
“We are a team that believes we can do it. We’re competing with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, we don’t know who we are going to face. It’s a question of wait and see. The important thing is seven years in a row we are there.”
Copy linkCopiedSpeaking of Euro stats
And Erling Haaland has now hit the same number of Champions League goals for Man City as Sergio Aguero managed.
That seems an incredible stat, given just how prolific Aguero seemed during his time in the North West.
And when you hear Haaland did it in 42 games fewer, you realise what a serious goal scorer they have on their hands.
Copy linkCopiedEuro dominance
A stat from OptaJoe here, with Manchester City now 30 games unbeaten at home in this competition (W28, D2).
They’re only the second side to complete that incredible feat, following Barcelona, who reached 38 games between September 2013 and November 2020.
Copy linkCopiedMatch report
Manchester City may have got a helping hand from the man in the mask.
But there was no disguising their superiority as they swept to a 10th straight win in the Champions League.
Former Liverpool keeper Kamil Grabara was left red faced as he fumbled a cross shot from Julian Alvarez into his net early on.
Yet luckily for the Pole his face was covered up – so his blushes were spared.
What would Pep Guardiola give for a clanger like that from one of the current Reds squad in Sunday’s title showdown at Anfield?
Copy linkCopiedGreat run
City now head into a crunch game with Liverpool on the back of a 20-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
Copy linkCopiedMOTM speaks
Player of the Match, Manuel Akanji told TNT Sports that City have to prove to everyone why they’re favourites for the competition.
Speaking on his award tonight, he said: “I never thought I’d get something like this, my son’s will love it!
“I saw the ball dropping perfect for my foot and I just tried to hit it. I was really happy with it.
“We knew if we could score the first goal and double it up with the second it would be hard for them. We did what we had to do.
“We’ll see how the draw pans out but we’re amongst the favourites but have to show it.”
Copy linkCopiedThe numbers on the night
The stats behind the 90 minutes, which show Copenhagen gave as good as they got when it came to efforts on goal.
Possession wise they were some way behind and didn’t even have half as many passes as City.
Some positives to take nonetheless, with City scoring with every shot on target they managed.
Copy linkCopiedCity cruise
A routine win for City who had the tie wrapped up in the opening half hour.
Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez with goals inside 10 minutes before Mo Elyounoussi got one back on the half hour.
Erling Haaland scored on the stroke of half time and that was the end of the scoring.
Some rest for his key men, too. A great night for Pep.
Copy linkCopiedFULL TIME!
The European champions are into the quarter finals of the Champions League.
Another 3-1 win over Copenhagen on the night, 6-2 on aggregate!
Copy linkCopiedMan City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg: 6-2)
CLOSE!
90+2. Rico Lewis nearly makes it four in the dying stages, collecting a great pass from Wright before hitting the crossbar as he bears down on goal.
Copy linkCopiedFULL TIME!
A couple of late scares for Real Madrid but they see out the result tonight and they’re into the hat for the quarters!
Leipzig put up some fight in the end but the 1-1 draw enough for Ancelotti’s men to progress.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg: 6-2)
Three minutes added.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg: 6-2)
89. Mattsson booked for a foul on Lewis.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg: 6-2)
87. A memorable moment for a young Manchester boy as Jacob Wright comes on for City.
A proud moment for him as he replaces Erling Haaland with a few minutes left.
He’d have been on earlier but City had another spell of possession for several minutes which resulted in him hanging about on the touchline.
OFF: Erling Haaland
ON: Jacob Wright
Copy linkCopiedReal Madrid 1-1 Leipzig (agg: 2-1)
Four minutes added in Spain!
Copy linkCopiedMan City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg: 6-2)
84. Mattsson is almost in again but his shot is blocked high in the air.
Cornelius tries to swing a high boot at it but Akanji beats him to it and the defender takes a sore one in the process.
Cornelius is shown a yellow card.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg: 6-2)
82. Superb defending from Akanji.
Elyounoussi looks to have gotten clear inside the area and through on goal but the defender shows great pace and strength to step back in and nudge off him the ball and allow Ederson to collect.
Copy linkCopiedReal Madrid 1-1 Leipzig (agg: 2-1)
82. Into the final 10 minutes in Madrid as Leipzig push forward for an equaliser.
Each side has picked up three yellow cards on the night, highlighting how fiercely competitive it has been.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg: 6-2)
78. Another corner for Copenhagen as Mattsson’s effort from distance deflects wide.
The ball in is dealt with by City but it falls to Elyounoussi on the edge of the box who blazes well over.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg: 6-2)
76. And they almost have another goal to celebrate!
The deep corner finds Elyounoussi who nods it back across goal, where McKenna helps it on towards Diks but he doesn’t know much about it and Ederson rushes off his line to gather.
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PSG are one step away from the Champions League quarter-finals but they must get through Real Sociedad first. Kylian Mbappe and Co overcame the La Liga side 2-0 in the first leg and will be hopeful of another comfortable victory.
Kick-off time: 8pm GMT
Stream/TV: TNT Sports 2/Discovery+ More
BAYERN MUNICH take on Lazio in a massive Champions League last-16 second leg clash tonight. Harry Kane and Co lost the first leg 1-0 and will need to put in a top performance to turn things around at home to Maurizio Sarri’s side.
Kick-off time: 8pm GMT
Stream/TV: TNT Sports 1/Discovery+ More
ARSENAL thrashed Sheffield United 6-0 at Bramall Lane to keep up their tilt for the Premier League title.In a truly dominant performance, the flying Gunners led 3-0 inside the first 25 minutes and 5-0 before half-time.Ben White then made it six with five different goalscorers in the books for Arsenal, who now know a win over Brentford on Saturday will see them top the league before Liverpool face Manchester City the following day.
Sheff Utd starting XI: Grbic; Ahmedhodzic, Trusty, Robinson; Bogle, Norwood, Vinicius Souza, Hamer, Davies; McAtee, McBurnie
Arsenal starting XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Jorgnho, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.
PADDY POWER WELCOME OFFER – get £40 in free bet builder betsArsenal with chance to lay marker
With Brentford to come to The Emirates on the weekend, The Gunners can go top of the table.
With Liverpool and Man City playing each other on the weekend, psychologically, it could be a big advantage.
Arsenal have winnable fixtures coming up, along with a tricky trip to The Etihad to play Pep Guardiola’s side.
Copy linkCopiedBlades lacking that cutting edge in league
It was a fourth consecutive home game where Sheff Utd have conceded five or more goals.
They have looked well out of their depth in the Premier League and you cannot see that changing between now and the end of the season.
The season has been a harsh lesson for the club and even more testing for their passionate fans.
Copy linkCopiedSkipper leads the way to victory
Martin Odegaard was involved in everything Arsenal did well tonight.
Sheff Utd allowed the player the time and space to pull the strings for The Gunners all evening.
Confidence will be growing in North London, feeling they have what it takes in this season’s title race.
Copy linkCopiedFT: Sheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal
It was one-way traffic from start to finish at Bramall Lane.
Chris Wilder’s side offered no resistance whatsoever.
Arsenal move to within two points of leaders Liverpool.
Copy linkCopiedFT: Sheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal
The referee puts the hosts out of their misery.
Arsenal get all three points with a demolition job of Chris Wilder’s side.
Sheff Utd are heading back to the Championship if they keep getting beat like this.
Copy linkCopiedSheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal
90+4. Man of the match is awarded to Martin Odegaard.
The Arsenal skipper has put in a good shift this evening, getting a goal in the process.
He tries to scoop the ball over the defence for Partey but it is easily gathered by the Sheff Utd keeper.
Copy linkCopiedSheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal
90+2. Mikel Arteta will want his side to ensure a clean sheet now.
He seemed annoyed when they gifted Newcastle a consolation goal at The Emirates in their last game.
Raya has had very little to do this evening.
Copy linkCopiedSheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal
90. Credit where it’s due to the Sheff Utd fans who have stayed.
This must have been a tough watch from start to finish.
To rub salt into the wound we are going to have five additional minutes.
Credit: AFP
Copy linkCopiedSheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal
88. Partey plays a lofted ball to Jesus in the box.
He takes the ball down brilliantly but tries to beat one player too many instead of getting a shot away.
His blushes are spared as the flag goes up for offside.
Copy linkCopiedSheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal
86. The way it is looking this season, The Blades could be heading to beat Swindon Town’s unwanted record.
In the 1993/94 season they conceded 100 goals in the Premier League.
That was over 42 matches before the number of teams in the league was reduced.
Copy linkCopiedSheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal
84. Havertz plays the ball into Jesus in the box.
He drops his shoulder and cuts onto his right foot, looking to bend one in the far corner.
Grbic gets down well to turn the ball around the post.
Copy linkCopiedSheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal
82. Osula runs through towards the Arsenal goal.
He has no support and two Arsenal defenders in front of him.
The Sheff Utd attacker tries his luck from distance but it is high and into the stands.
Credit: Reuters
Copy linkCopiedSheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal
80. Partey looks to lift a ball over the top of Jesus.
The Brazilian tries to pull it out of the air but cannot get anywhere near it.
It runs through to Grbic for an easy gather.
Copy linkCopiedSheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal
78. The ball is clipped into the box and Kiwior has a free header in the middle of the goal.
He gets it all wrong as he puts it well wide of the goal.
Should be really testing the keeper from there as a minimum.
Copy linkCopiedSheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal
76. Odegaard slides the ball into Jesus.
He looks to square the ball for a tap in but it is blocked by Robinson, at the expense of a corner.
Chance for The Gunners to get another goal from a set piece.
Copy linkCopiedSheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal
74. Rice comes off for Trossard as Arteta looks to rest his players.
The result was never in doubt here from about the fourteenth minute of this game.
Most of the Sheff Utd fans have gone home now.
Copy linkCopiedSheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal
72. Arsenal’s winter break to Dubai seems to have invigorated this team.
They have not looked back since the turn of the year, having their best run of form of the season.
It all remains to be seen how far they get in the Champions League also now as that will surely put pressure on the depth of their squad.
Credit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedSheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal
70. This was never going to be one of The Gunners’ tricky away fixtures in their remaining games.
Most people are wondering what records there are to be broken now.
Here are some of Arsenal’s biggest wins in the club’s history.
Copy linkCopiedSheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal
68. Let’s not forget that this Sheff Utd side lost 8-0 at home earlier in the season against Newcastle.
If there is any positive spin on the scoreline, at least it’s not their heaviest defeat of the season.
The Blades have now conceded 72 goals this season.
Copy linkCopiedSheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal
66. The way Martinelli was unable to put any weight on that injury did not look good for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta will be hoping that Gabriel Jesus can get some much needed game time without aggravating the knee once again.
Another goal would mean The Gunners matching their biggest ever away scoreline in any competition.
Copy linkCopiedSheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal
64. Martinelli limps off with a foot injury.
Arteta replaces the winger with Jesus.
The manager also brings on Cedric and Partey for Jorginho and White.
Copy linkCopiedSheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal
62. Bogle passes the ball through two Arsenal players finding Baldock.
He looks to get to the byline and cross but Raya gathers with no Sheff Utd player making the run to the near post.
Martinelli is down injured again, he has spent more time on the grass than most lawnmowers in this second half.
Copy linkCopiedSheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal
60. Some of these Sheff Utd players will have PTSD after this.
There is still over half an hour remaining, this could be any scoreline at Bramall Lane.
The only thing you would not predict is a goal for the hosts the way this game is panning out.
Credit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedSheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal
58. Arsenal just continue to look play through The Blades.
As Havertz pulls the ball down, he lays it off into the path of White.
The defender strikes a left-footed shot into the far corner to make it six.
Copy linkCopiedGoal – Ben White (Arsenal)
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MANCHESTER UNITED are taking on bitter rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium RIGHT NOW.And Erik ten Hag’s side have taken a shock lead after Marcus Rashford’s thunderbolt on eight minutes.Kevin De Bruyne returned to the City starting XI in the Premier League after making FOUR assists to Erling Haaland in the FA Cup midweek.
TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League
Live stream: NOW
Man City team: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Stones, Rodri, Bernardo, Foden, De Bruyne, Doku, Haaland
Man Utd team: Onana, Dalot, Varane, Evans, Lindelof, Casemiro, Mainoo, McTominay, Fernandes, Rashford, Garnacho
PADDY POWER WELCOME OFFER – get £40 in free bet builder betsMan City 0-1 Man Utd
37. United are defending in big numbers.
As City push and pass their way forward, the visitors are often sat with ten men behind the ball, leaving only Marcus Rashford up top.
That’s a long time left on the clock to be playing so deep.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-1 Man Utd
35. De Bruyne takes matters into his own hands (feet) by coming in off the right flank to open up space for a shot.
However, the midfielder rather rushes at the opportunity, pulling his effort uncharacteristically wide of the near post.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-1 Man Utd
33. Another fine stop from Onana!
City are turning the screw on their opponents now, and almost bag an equaliser.
Walker accelerates down the right, tees up De Bruyne for a cross that’s cleared by Varane, but only to Rodri, who executes an immediate sliced volley destined for the bottom corner.
That is until Onana gets down low to his left in order to push away.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-1 Man Utd
31. All the talk was of Kevin De Bruyne’s creativity before this match, but it’s been Bernardo Silva as the man most likely to make something happen so far.
The Spaniard has already been responsible for laying on five chances this afternoon.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-1 Man Utd
29. Decent play from City.
Dias sends a diagonal pass into the path of Doku on the left, the Belgian comes inside and exchanges passes with Silva before shooting well wide of the target.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-1 Man Utd
26. A foul is given against Lindelof up the left touchline, and – remarkably – the first free-kick of the contest is awarded.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-1 Man Utd
24. Hopeful shouts of handball from the home fans as a cross crashes into Dalot and goes behind for a corner.
In fact, Andy Madley delays the restart while VAR take a second look, but it takes barely a second to notice that Dalot’s arm was tucked into his body in a natural position.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-1 Man Utd
22. Perhaps I should have said 3-3?
A lifted cross into the City box from the left has the home defence nowhere to be seen.
The ball is just too high for the arriving McTominay, but sits perfectly for Rashford at the far post.
A wild miscue of a shot follows, making a mockery of the screamer he netted from three times the distance a quarter of an hour earlier.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-1 Man Utd
20. This is an incredibly open match full of non-stop attacking action.
It could easily be 2-2 already.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-1 Man Utd
18. Big chance for Foden! Must be! Saved!
Now it’s the turn of the United defence to open up and allow an opponent a free path to goal – a route that a forward fails to capitalise on.
Huge credit to Onana, who is quick off his line to narrow Foden’s angle, and then imposing enough to block the subsequent low shot.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-1 Man Utd
16. Another chance for Rashford! Oh, he miscontrols!
Dias’ slip on halfway presents the opportunity for Fernandes to poke a through ball into the path of the goalscorer, and all he has to do is head it forward to leave himself clear on goal.
However, Rashford makes a real mess of it, and City breathe a huge, collective sigh of relief.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-1 Man Utd
14. Foden goes for goal! Saved by Onana!
City move the ball from left to right across the United penalty area, presenting Foden with a chance from a wider angle than he would have liked.
The forward does well to get a strike away, but it’s one comfortably dealt with by the United goalkeeper.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-1 Man Utd
12. On co-commentary, Gary Neville ponders whether Ake’s decision to drop back as Onana launched forward for the goal came as a result of Garnacho beating him for pace on the flank just minutes earlier.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-1 Man Utd
10. Stunned by that opener, City go looking for an immediate response.
Foden attempts to feed Haaland, but Casemiro gets a foot in to carry the pass beyond the striker.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-1 Man Utd
8. What an extraordinary hit from Marcus Rashford!
A long clearance upfield from Andre Onana catches Manchester City out with Bruno Fernandes played onside by a dozing Nathan Ake on the near side.
The Manchester United captain then does brilliantly to hold the ball up, turn, and lay it back into the path of Rashford.
What follows is sensational; the England forward takes the shot on first time from 25 yards, it flies past Ederson, and crashes into the net off the crossbar.
The strike silences the Etihad! It silences the haters! And it has United in front!
An absolute stunner – in more ways that one.
Copy linkCopiedWhat a goal!!
Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-0 Man Utd
6. Now it’s Doku’s turn to test the United defence with some unpredictable skill and pace.
Dalot stands up to the challenge, and then we have a first glimpse of the threat that United carry on the counter.
Garnacho gets away from Ake on the right, and looks to have the legs to go all the way.
Somehow the winger gets held up on route, and his eventual deflected cross is an easy grab for Ederson.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-0 Man Utd
4. The barrage continues.
The game has been played exclusively in United’s half so far, indeed it’s mostly in their 18-yard box.
Silva is just about crowded our as he lines up a shot inside the area, and then Stones goes to crowd following a challenge from Casemiro.
The referee and video officials say no penalty, and they’re absolutely right. The Brazilian got a foot on the ball with Stones kicking the back of his opponent’s leg.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-0 Man Utd
2. The home side force a corner with less than a minute on the clock, and immediately to pull their red rivals apart.
Clever passing and movement from the dead ball draws United’s defence out, allowing Foden to strike a goal from 22 yards out.
Deflected and behind for another corner.
Copy linkCopiedKick-off – Man City v Man Utd
1. Here we go! Bernardo Silva gets this Manchester City underway with a one-man kick-off all the way back to Ederson, and sets the tone of the hosts in possession.
Andy Madley is the man in charge, and the champions are already on the charge…
Copy linkCopiedHere come the two teams!
The rain has been falling in Manchester – no surprise there – but it seems to have paused to allow the players to make their entrance at the Etihad.
Ahead of kick-off, the atmosphere is more anxious than raucous. Perhaps both supporters fear a slip-up, one that could leave the blue half playing catch-up in the title race, or one would leave the red half red-faced.
Kick-off comes next.
Copy linkCopiedPep hails incredible partnership
Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne will play together in the Premier League for just the fourth time this season, and for Pep Guardiola, the return of that partnership could not have been better timed.
The Manchester City boss believes his squad have done brilliantly to stay in the title race without their star duo, and now hope the pair can fire them to the top.
At the end we are here and many times we have been without them and still we are there. We won’t be at the top tonight, but we are here because everyone is making contributions. When they [Haaland and De Bruyne] perform at the highest level, it is incredible for us.”Pep GuardiolaSky Sports
Copy linkCopiedCity shooting for club record
Stop Erling Haaland and stop Manchester City, right? Of course not.
Even when they were without the Norwegian striker this season, the Citizens were unstoppable in front of goal, especially at home.
In fact, City have scored in each of their last 54 games at the Etihad in all competitions.
And now Haaland is back from injury, back in red-hot form, and back paired with his creator supreme in Kevin De Bruyne.
So it seems a case of when City will score, rather than if – and once they do, they will equal their club record of scoring in 55 consecutive home games, which they first set between January 2012 and January 2014.
Copy linkCopiedMore back four roulette for Erik
Injuries, form and suspensions have caused chaos for Manchester United’s defence this season.
And any hope that Erik ten Hag may have had for a settled back line for the remainder of the campaign has been blown apart by recent injuries to Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire.
The Dutchman goes for a quartet of Diogo Dalot, Jonny Evans, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof this afternoon, a selection that Kelly Cates tells us is the 21st different back four that United have opted for in 27 Premier League games this season.
Copy linkCopiedDerby brings away day joy
No fixture in Premier League history has resulted in more away wins than Manchester City against Manchester United.
The derby has served up 22 successes for the side making the short trip across the city, the same number of away victories given to us by games between Aston Villa and Liverpool.
Indeed, of the 54 fixtures to be played 40+ times in the Premier League, the Manchester derby has the highest proportion of away triumphs at 42% (22/53).
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