De Bruyne Shines As City Beat Rivals Utd

Over the past two seasons, the spoils have been pretty equal with United losing to City at the Etihad and winning at Old Trafford the season before last, with United and City drawing at Old Trafford and United winning at the Etihad last season.

Pep Guardiola drew first blood in his renewed managerial duel with Jose Mourinho as Manchester City deservedly won an absorbing Premier League derby 2-1 against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Bravo, who replaced Joe Hart as City’s No 1 goalkeeper earlier this summer, endured a hard afternoon at Old Trafford and was at fault for Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s first-half strike which handed the hosts a route back into the match.

“The second half was completely different, and when they brought on Fernando, they were feeling what everybody was feeling, that we were in control”.

Man City manager Pep Guardiola stated at the press conference he’s seen the Reds’ matches this season, and that he can tell they perform better at every turn – just like his club.

The most eye-catching moment on the touchline occurred in the first half when Guardiola found himself in a minor skirmish – with Wayne Rooney. We created enough chances. We didn’t get what we deserve.

‘Outside the box [Bravo’s challenge] is a free-kick and a red card. Inside the box, it is more hard. “We were in control, we were much more risky and we had chances to equalise and who knows what would have happened”. Sometimes they think twice before a big decision.

Speaking at his postmatch news conference, Mourinho added: “Referees are like us and are human”.

“The second penalty is Otamendi handball, which I believe that some of you will say “that’s not a penalty”. Whatever I said to him I spoke face to face. The first arm is the one that is close to his body.

The two north London rivals had contrasting victories, with Arsenal needing an injury-time penalty converted by Santi Cazorla to seal a 2-1 win over Southampton at home.

“But we were also punished by our very bad first half and that’s football”.