Manchester United came from 2-0 down to beat Premier League leaders and fierce rivals Manchester City 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium, denying the champions-elect the opportunity to win the title early.
Football Weeks has three talking points from the entertaining spectacle at the Etihad.
Football really is a game of two halves
Sunday’s Manchester derby shows the old adage is true that a game is never over at half-time. No matter how well or badly one team play for 45 minutes, it is never over until full-time.
City could have been 4-0 up at the break, such was their dominance in the opening 45 minutes. Raheem Sterling wasted two clear-cut chances, while Ilkay Gundogan should have found the back of the net with a headed effort that was comfortable for David De Gea.
In the second-half, however, United were a different animal. City suddenly started to panic and make costly mistakes. Jose Mourinho’s side showed an unbelievable transformation, proving one should never rule out the Red Devils until the game is up.
Manchester City’s defence are not as good as we think
While City boast some of the best attacking talent in the world, the fact the side have conceded six goals in their last two games shows their defence still needs some work.
The Sky Blues’ backline was torn apart after United’s three goals, with Vincent Kompany and the error-prone Nicolas Otamendi looking shaky in the second-half.
Manchester United really can play attacking football whenever they want
Jose Mourinho’s style of play have been criticised all season for his defensive style, yet the second half at the Etihad proved he can showcase a more attacking brand of football.
Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez, who were getting criticised for their performance in the first-half, put in an incredible show after the break to the delight of the United fans.
The Red Devils need to build on this victory and make such second-half performances the norm if they want to challenge for the Premier League title next season.