Manchester City and Manchester United win in the Premier League

By Matthew Pintus

Goals from Fernando, Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and Alexandar Kolarov gave Manchester City a resounding 4-0 victory away at Bournemouth and a solitary goal from Anthony Martial gave neighbours, Manchester United, a 1-0 victory against struggling Everton.

City kicked off proceedings on the South Coast against a Bournemouth side almost guaranteed of Premier League survival.

The home side lacked intensity and, in the 7th minute, City’s Fernando steered home a Jesus Navas corner on the volley.

The returning De Bruyne added a second minutes later after David Silva and Aguero robbed Bournemouth defender, Charlie Daniels, of possession.

The Belgium international, who had just recovered from ankle ligament problems, finished neatly on the volley, stroking the ball into the bottom corner.

The Blues were rampant and, in the 19th minute, Aguero added a third, leaping above the Bournemouth defence and heading in a Navas cross.

Bournemouth had no response and Kolarov smashed in City’s fourth with virtually the last kick of the game.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, manager Mauro Pellegrini said that there’s cause for optimism: "As always the Premier League will be very tight at the end of the season.

“I think it’s important to get that spot in the Champions League and of course when you win the way we did today, that gives us a lot of trust in the team for the next game.”

Pellegrini was particularly pleased with the performance of returning playmaker, De Bruyne: “He's a very technical player, he had worked the last 10 days hard in training, and he worked on football twice in the week and he did very well.

I was sure that he was going to return the same way that he finished before his injury.

He's a very important player; before his injury he was a very good performer. It was unlucky for him to have that injury for about two months, but again he has demonstrated how good a player he is.”

Neighbours Manchester United had to wait until Sunday afternoon to stamp their claim on the top four.

And, after a drab first half against Roberto Martinez’s Everton at Old Trafford, it was looking more and more likely that City would open up a 6 point gap. However, in the 54th minute, a rare flowing move by Manchester United was finished off by the teenage sensation, Anthony Martial.

It was the tale of three teenagers as Marcus Rashford’s clever back heel was collected by substitute, Tim Fosu-Mensah, who took the ball on and crossed for Martial to finish at the back post.

Everton worked hard to carve out opportunities but it was the Red Devils who held on for the crucial victory.

It was the 15th time this season in all competitions that a match at Old Trafford has been goalless at half-time.

For manager Louis Van Gaal, however, it was all about the three points: “Today was not our best form because I think we were not fresh enough, and we had more or less three days preparation - much more than against City or Arsenal.

“You never know as a manager how players are coming back from the international break. We gave them one day more off than usual but we started not fresh. Everton were much fresher and you could see that in the pitch.

“I have said in the dressing room that it was very important to win today otherwise the victory against City was worthless.

“We keep in touch with City, one point behind, and we keep in touch with Arsenal, five points behind. We have to play Tottenham, not an easy match, but normally we play very well against the top teams and if we continue like that I am very happy.''

• Localsport