Manchester United have handed Arsenal a major boost in the title race after extending Manchester City’s winless Premier League run to four matches in the Manchester derby.
It is not often the Manchester derby carries much relevance for Arsenal fans, but this weekend Manchester City’s much-vaunted ‘machine’ extended its winless Premier League run to four games, handing Arsenal the chance to pull further clear when they face Nottingham Forest in the evening kick-off.
When the dust settles, Manchester United will wonder how they failed to win this game in the first half. Two goals were ruled out for marginal offsides, they hit the bar from a corner and were denied by Donnarumma. City, in contrast, produced a performance that, had it come from Arsenal, would have prompted Sunday headlines about “nerves”. They managed just one shot on target.
Even so, the overriding belief among Arsenal supporters at the interval was that City would still find a way to take the points, most likely through an Erling Haaland finish, despite the striker touching the ball only eight times in the first half.
The second period brought more of the same, with United pressing and only a ridiculous save from City’s towering goalkeeper preventing them from taking a lead their performance merited. Then he did it again.
Arsenal fans had to wait until the 65th minute to properly celebrate. United broke three on two with more coming, swarming a City defence that looks as though it will need more than Marc Guehi to fix it. A through ball found Mbeumo and this time he found a way past Donnarumma. United had their goal.
They had another 10 minutes later, Patrick Dorgu doubling their lead as Pep Guardiola sat dazed in the dugout.
With more than 10 minutes remaining, his team needing two goals to salvage a draw, and having touched the ball just 14 times, Haaland was substituted. He now has one goal in his last seven matches in all competitions.
United played with an edge and intensity that has been missing for some time. Arsenal, meanwhile, will hope it proves a one-off, with United’s next league match taking them to the Emirates.