The Belgian midfielder scored a coolly taken opening goal and had a big hand in Kelechi Iheanacho’s second as City won 2-1 at Old Trafford to prolong their ideal start to the Premier League season.
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The Blues dominated the first half with an impressive attacking display and battled hard in the second to hang on for a 2-1 victory, thanks to goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Kelechi Iheanacho.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored in the 42nd minute for United, volleying home after City debutant Claudio Bravo dropped a cross, to set up a thrilling second half of furious, end-to-end action during which De Bruyne struck the post.
City maintained its 100 percent start to the season under Guardiola on Saturday with a 2-1 derby victory at Manchester United. We had a few players below that level and we were made to pay.
It was their first win of the La Liga season after they were held by promoted Deportivo Alaves and CD Leganes in their opening two league games. He doesn’t lose many games at home and it’s a big, big moment.
Much of the pre-match focus had been on the stormy history of the relationship between Guardiola and Mourinho.
“But we were also punished by our very bad first half and that’s football”. But United couldn’t get to grips with a player Mourinho rendered useless during his tenure at Chelsea.
Antoine Griezmann kickstarted Atletico Madrid’s La Liga campaign with two goals and an assist as a 4-0 rout of RC Celta de Vigo gave them a much-needed boost yesterday.
“It’s a doctor issue”, Guardiola said.
Antonio Conte has claimed opposing defenders are targeting Diego Costa and seeking to provoke the Spain forward, with the Chelsea manager praising his player’s refusal to react in the fractious draw at Swansea City yesterday.
Reigning champions Leicester and then Ukraine’s Zorya Luhansk arrive at Old Trafford during a frantic month that offers United the chance to build up some positive momentum after the City loss.
Ibrahimovic and Marouane Fellaini were booked in quick succession as United upped the ante, with Fernando replacing Iheanacho in a bid to stem the tide. Ibrahimovic was clinical with his reaction, volleying first time into the net from just inside the area. Once the second half started, United were unable to build on the momentum they had created after their goal at the end of the first half.
It was Guardiola’s eighth win in 17 meetings with Mourinho, who has won only once against his rival in their last 10 head-to-heads.
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After the game, the player told “Sky Sports”: “Playing the derby and winning it is a dream and now it became a reality”. “These guys have heart”.
