Premier League winners and losers: Win the Manchester derby, win the league
By Ty Finch
Loser: Premier League title race
The 175th iteration of the Manchester derby ended in a 2-1 win for City that essentially ended the title race.
The most anticipated match of the season started off in feverish fashion and never waned. City got the scoring started in the 43rd minute with a poorly defended set piece that saw diminutive David Silva sneak his way into the six-yard box to tap home the opener. United wasted little time equalizing. A cross that had no business reaching Marcus Rashford found its way to him after Fabian Delph misjudged the trajectory, and the Englishman slotted home the second goal of the match. Another error from a set piece in the second half saw Nicolas Otamendi put home the game winner.
However exciting of a contest it ended up, City’s win almost assuredly brings the title race to its logical end. Take nothing away from Pep Guardiola’s team. They have been the best side in the Premier League this season by far and deserve their huge lead over their second-place rivals. But this match unfortunately ends almost any hope for a battle over the top spot. If United can’t beat them at Old Trafford, what chance do the rest of the league have?
Soccer is unpredictable, but with an 11-point lead over second place, City have all but wrapped up the title this season. They may drop a few points over the course of the season to lesser squads, and challenging for a Champions League title may also hamper their Premier League ambitions, but it’s hard to see them finishing the season anywhere but the top.