Manchester City 0-2 Manchester United: Player ratings as Reds grab derby win at the Etihad

After winning 21 games on the bounce since December 15, Manchester City's impressive streak was brought to an end by Manchester United at the Etihad.The game sparked to life when Gabriel Jesus hacked down Anthony Martial in the penalty area seconds after kick-off. Bruno Fernandes stepped up and converted from the spot.FULL TIME | A bad day at the office.🔵 0-2 🔴 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/gpAjYjm3y2— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 7, 2021Pep Guardiola’s side dominated possession the entire first half but were let down by their sloppy finishing. Manchester City had their first real effort at goal at the start of the second half, when Rodri's shot grazed the top of the crossbar.While Manchester City continued to misfire, Manchester United doubled their lead with a surprise counter-attack started by a quick throw by Dean Henderson.Full-back Luke Shaw charged deep into the Manchester City half and exchanged passes with Marcus Rashford before sending a low strike into the bottom right corner.Anthony Martial came close to a third when he was clean through on goal, but failed to beat Ederson as he fired his shot straight at the City goalkeeper.Manchester City continued their search for a way back into the game but were met by a dogged United defense.City 1-2 UnitedCity 0-1 UnitedCity 0-2 UnitedOle Gunnar Solskjær is the first manager in Man Utd's history to win his first three Manchester derbies away from home. Class dismissed. 👨&zwj;🏫 pic.twitter.com/bUncvU1giD— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 7, 2021While the result does not have a significant effect on the shape of the table, as Manchester City are still 11 points clear of second-placed Manchester United, the Reds have now grabbed a fourth victory in eight games against Manchester City.Here's how each player fared in the game.Manchester City ratingsEderson: 6/10The Manchester City goalkeeper did well to get a hand to Bruno’s penalty, but unluckily failed to keep it out. He made a vital stop to keep his side in the game when he denied Martial a clear scoring chance in a one-on-one situation.Joao Cancelo: 5/10Cancelo was uncharacteristically quiet for Manchester City on the evening. He struggled at both ends of the pitch, as while he failed to contribute meaningfully in attack, the visitor’s two goals came from his side.John Stones: 6.5The Manchester City defender performed superbly as he was solid when called upon in defense and constantly drove forward, aiming to start an attack.Ruben Dias: 6/ 10The Portuguese was not his usual dominant self as he struggled with the pace of the United attack, but he still had a solid outing.Manchester City since they last dropped points on December 15, 2020: ▪️ 21-game win streak in all competitions▪️ 55 goals scored▪️ 10 goals conceded▪️ From ninth in the league to top of the tableWhat a run 👏 pic.twitter.com/HqYYdijRCu— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 7, 2021Oleksandr Zinchenko: 6/10Manchester City’s best defender of the first half. He was a constant threat to the visitors, often charging forward to create something for his teammates.He came close to equalizing for the hosts with a brilliant strike in the first half but for the heroics of Dean Henderson. He faded as the game progressed, just like the rest of the Manchester City players.Rodri: 5.5/10The towering midfielder was handled expertly by the Manchester United midfield. He struggled to get a foothold in the game and often looked out of pace with the rest of his teammates. He came closest to scoring for Manchester City with an early second-half strike that grazed the crossbar.Kevin De Bruyne: 6.5/10The Manchester City talisman looked as dangerous as ever, but while he constantly looked to create something for his side with defence-splitting passes, he was let down by his teammates, who lacked the cutting edge in the final third.Manchester City 20/21 form:Without KDB: 90% win rateWith KDB: 69% win rateThe De Bruyne factor. pic.twitter.com/rZktyyKdYj— jm (@JMNDComps) March 7, 2021Ilkay Gundogan: 5.5/10Along with De Bruyne, Gundogan dictated the pace and tempo of the Manchester City attack and posed a serious threat to the Reds' defense. He kept the play ticking with neat and tidy passes, but he couldn't do any damage upfront.Riyad Mahrez: 6/10Unarguably the host's best performer going forward. He constantly tore at Luke Shaw as he looked to make something happen from the right wing. He completed three of his five dribble attempts but struggled to contribute defensively as he was easily beaten and outpaced by Shaw in the build-up to Manchester United’s second goal.Gabriel Jesus: 4/10Gabriel Jesus conceded a penalty leading to the Red’s opening goal barely 30 seconds into the game and went downhill from there on. The Brazilian was simply non existent in the Manchester City attack, posing no threat whatsoever before his substitution in the 70th minute.Raheem Sterling: 4/10Another outing to forget from the England international. He failed to beat Aaron Wan-Bissaka on countless occasions, and even when he did, he looked out of ideas in the penalty area. He missed two glorious chances to pull one back for the Citizens as he continues to struggle for form in front of goal.Player ratings for Manchester City substitutesKyle Walker: 5/10He came on for the struggling Cancelo in the 65th minute and tried to impact the game in attack. He created a big change for Sterling with a whipped-in cross, but the forward fluffed his finish.28 - Manchester City were beaten for the first time since November 2020 (0-2 v Spurs), ending a run of 28 games without defeat across all competitions for Pep Guardiola’s side. Blow. pic.twitter.com/wSLgK1rsr9— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 7, 2021Phil FodenSent on by Guardiola to inject life into the attack down the left flank, but despite spending 20 minutes on the pitch, he failed to impact the game as he was met by a resolute United defense.

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