Manchester dominates Premier League pace setting
City top the table with United in third.
Manchester’s clubs have started the Premier League campaign in blistering form as a 100% record for both United and City sees them at the top of the table. During the first short stage of the season after the first international break, both City and United had won their three first matches with the Blues edging out United for first place.
City has showed themselves as a true attacking force, with nine goals scored in three games, United have built their victories on some consistent performances, having conceded only one goal.
With the Manchester derby around the corner, excitement is building. Thanks to the goal difference, City goes to the break as top of the Premier League. Pep Guardiola’s side beat West Ham United on Sunday by 3-1, a result which pleased the Catalan.
“We created many chances, so we deserved to win clearly with more goals. The performance was good,” said Pep Guardiola.
Hammers manager Slaven Bilic accepted the defeat, even when he wanted to give some credit to his boys.
“You can't say City didn't deserve to win but it was a game of two halves. They were deservedly two goals up but in the second half we played much better,” said the Croatian.
The controversy of the match broke in the second half, when Sergio Aguero apparently flicked an elbow out at West Ham’s Winston Reid.
The action wasn’t punished by referee Andre Marriner at the time, and any retrospective disciplinary action could see him banned for games including the derby against Manchester United on September 10.
Pep Guardiola said about the incident:
“I didn't see so I cannot comment.
“Hopefully nothing happens. If it happens, we accept and adapt and we will try our best.”
Bilic also avoided commenting on the controversy:
“I didn't see it at all. I reacted because we wanted to make a sub. We wanted to change the shape. I think he is okay. He is not injured,” he said.
With a double in his pocket, Raheem Sterling was the undisputed man of the match. The young winger appears to be revitalised since Guardiola arrival to the Etihad.
Guardiola noted: “Raz has scored two goals – that was good- but the games before this were more brilliant than today.
“In the first half he scored a goal but didn’t win too many defensive duels, the second half was better.
“But of course we are so pleased, so pleased about his spirit. He can play right, left, he is so dynamic, so aggressive with the ball and without the ball. I am so happy he is playing good,” stated Guardiola.
Meanwhile, United beat Hull City by 1-0 thanks to a late goal achieved by youngster Marcus Rashford.
The talented striker, who will play for the England U21 during this international break, came from the bench and secured the three points on the 92nd minute. It was his sixth goal in only 12 Premier League appearances.
Manager Jose Mourinho was making no promises whether the teenager might he handed a start in the City game, but he has said Rashford will play “a lot” under him.
United skipper Wayne Rooney, who assisted Rashford on the goal, showed his admiration about his teammate.
“Marcus is a fantastic player, one of the brightest talents in European football.
“I’m sure his chance will come. He did brilliantly when he came on and got his goal. He’s an important player for us,” he said.
Despite the short result, Manchester United made 29 shots versus Hull City – nine of them on target.
“I think we did it very well. Every time we lost the ball, we recovered it two seconds later. We were just going and going, wave after wave,” analysed Mourinho.
United are in third spot of the table, with five goals scored and only one conceded – the same goal difference as second placed Chelsea.