Kelechi Iheanacho said it was “a dream come true” after his goal gave Manchester City a 2-1 victory at Manchester United in Saturday’s derby.
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“What did I make of today?”
Guardiola was happy with City’s display during the first half, when De Bruyne’s attacking brilliance was a decisive factor, but he was left calling upon a higher power as his defence clung on after the interval.
“We started to win back”.
“You need to be sharp the way you think and the way you play”.
“The first half was really good”, he stated.
He added: “The spectators maybe said penalty, but I didn’t see it”.
United managed to grab one back before just before half time but could not conjure more goals despite a much improved second half showing. “We had chances to equalise”. We had a few players below that and we paid for it. He continued playing. It means a lot.
‘It was a penalty and a red card for (Claudio) Bravo. Imagine (Marouane) Fellaini or (Wayne) Rooney doing that (in the middle of the park) it’s a red card and a free-kick.
Rooney crossed for Ibrahimovic to head at Bravo and the Swedish striker then saw an effort blocked by John Stones after the City goalkeeper failed to field a stray ball. “So we were also punished by that”. But in a fan-culture that’s driven by mockery and memes, these matches are more than just rivals, teams, players or managers going at each other’s throats. You can tell me he has no intention, but he has intention. Is it my fault?
The result prolonged City’s ideal start to the Premier League season and ended United’s 100 percent record.
“Mark made two mistakes because (there should have been) two penalties for us”.
The City boss grabbed the ball as it went out of play and Rooney, looking to take a throw quickly, was unhappy Guardiola did not immediately hand it over to him, with a brief struggle between the two ensuing. I would have done it after 20 minutes.
Talking to Sky Sports Kevin de Bruyne said: “It feels very good”. But again we did not get the compensation we deserved. He continued playing after a hard first half.
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After an expensive summer, victory was a vital statement for City’s claim to the Premier League title. So I don’t open my mouth when Liverpool go and beat Arsenal at Arsenal, when City beat Man United here, when Man United beat Chelsea or Tottenham away – nobody opens their mouth with surprise because it’s a normal result.
