Manchester United’s English defender Chris Smalling (middle) scores his team’s third goal during the English Premier League match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, yesterday. PHOTO:AFP
Manchester City missed the chance to win the English Premier League title yesterday after rivals Manchester United came back from two goals down to stun Pep Guardiola’s team at the Eithad Stadium.
Paul Pogba sparked United’s recovery with two goals in three minutes early in the second half, with defender Chris Smalling grabbing the winner with a superb volley.
“At halftime we were feeling sorry for ourselves, we wanted to go out there and play with prided and thought we full deserved it in the end,” Smalling told Sky Sports.
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“The first half was terrible, we dropped off didn’t play our game, and could have been out of sight.”In those opening 45 minutes City looked to be effortlessly on course to clinch a new English Premier League record by becoming the quickest team to win the title.
Pep Guardiola’s team were dominating proceedings against the league’s second-place team and took control of the game with two goals in the space of five minutes.
Captain Vincent Kompany shook off his marker Smalling to power a header past United goalkeeper David de Gea and then Ilkay Gundogan displayed neat footwork before slotting home the second.
United were being outclassed and if Raheem Sterling had been more assured City might have gone in at the break perhaps four goals ahead.
Just before United’s remarkable revival Gundogan also hit the woodwork.
Paul Pogba’s second goal came from a brilliant header.Pogba’s season has been interrupted by injury and the French international hasn’t scored a league goal for United since November, but he made amends in some style with those goals early in the second half to wrestle control of the game away from City.Guardiola told Sky Sports he was “a little sad for fans and players,” adding “we will try to be in a good mood next Tuesday.”
Source: G Sport
