Manchester City set a Premier League record with 14 consecutive victories following two scrappy goals either side of Marcus Rashford’s equaliser at Old Trafford this afternoon.
David Silva scrambled home inside the six-yard box from a corner following a deflection off Romelu Lukaku after the Belgian striker appeared to be fouled by Nicolas Otamendi.
Moments later, Ashley Young’s long ball was missed by both Otamendi and Fabian Delph to gift Marcus Rashford a first-half stoppage time equaliser.
Otamendi scrambled home a 54th minute winner from a free kick after Lukaku’s clearance bounced off Chris Smalling into the path of the open Argentine centre-back inside the six-yard box.
Here are how our players fared:
David de Gea 7
The Spaniard didn’t have a chance with either close range scrappy goal but made a couple of smart saves including one to deny Kevin De Bruyne.
Antonio Valencia 7
One of our better defensive performers as Antonio Valencia was rarely threatened down the right. Picked up some good positions in attack in the first half but not so adventurous in the second.
Chris Smalling 5
Poor defensively as he let the Manchester City attack run at him time and time again. Chris Smalling wasn’t much of a leader at the back today either.
Marcos Rojo 6
Bullied Raheem Sterling off the ball but lacked a bit of discipline and picked up a yellow card. Replaced at half-time after a head collision with David Silva just before the break.
Ashley Young 6
Nullified the threat of Kyle Walker down the left and provided the long ball that led to our goal. Made a couple of good interceptions, one to start a counter-attack that resulted in a free kick on the edge of their penalty area.
Nemanja Matic 5
Manchester City ran rings around our midfield and Nemanja Matic didn’t do a great job in helping us maintain possession or start attacks to take the pressure off our defence.
Ander Herrera 6
Showed a lot of energy as usual but lacked the attacking threat that Paul Pogba gives us.
Marcus Rashford 7
Nicely taken goal set up by Fabian Delph. Marcus Rashford’s pace was a good threat but didn’t have many opportunities to use it. Harshly booked for showing his frustration over referee Michael Oliver giving a very bad decision in City’s favour.
Jesse Lingard 5
Didn’t get on the ball too often but did provided an excellent through ball to set up a chance for Romelu Lukaku.
Anthony Martial 5
Produced a couple of nice touches and runs but they were too few and far in between. Had an excellent opportunity to run at Kyle Walker in the second half who was already on a yellow card but opted to pass instead.
Romelu Lukaku 5
Disappointing performance up front as he had several opportunities including one from six yards out with a couple of minutes to go. Unfortunate with the first goal against us, Romelu Lukaku appeared to be fouled as the ball deflected off him into David Silva’s path. Later his poorly composed clearance from a set piece hit Chris Smalling to set up Nicolas Otamendi’s winner.
Substitutes
Victor Lindelof (45 mins) 6 – A decent performance after coming on at half-time and played some good forward passes.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (16 mins) N/A – Didn’t have an opportunity in his late run out.
Juan Mata (10 mins) N/A – Created an excellent chance for Lukaku late on but the striker was unable to convert it.
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