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Manchester United struck a big blow on Saturday (December 7th) by winning on the field of his rival, Manchester City (2-1), thanks to Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial. The defeat of the Cityzens made the Liverpool business: the Reds, victorious Bournemouth, are now 14 points ahead of the champions of England.
And if the championship of England had rocked for good this Saturday, December 7? Football has taught us that nothing is impossible, and Liverpool has already experienced enough disappointments and miracles to call victory too fast. But the first results of the 16th day of the Premier League are the happiness of the Reds.
Rashford and Martial cool Cityzens
Manchester City, the reigning English champions and second in the standings, was back on the wall before starting their derby against Manchester United. Earlier this Saturday, Liverpool had put pressure on three points in Bournemouth (3-0), without Sadio Mané (left on the substitutes' bench) but with Mohamed Salah and Naby Keïta (a goal and a pass decisive each).
To avoid seeing the Reds take even more advantage, City had to win. But Manchester United, even moribund, was of course not passing on the lawn of his local rival to make the figuration.
It was very fast on the pitch of Etihad Stadium. Elusive, Marcus Rashford has caused the blame Bernardo Silva in the box. The English international has taken charge of transforming the penalty (23rd). Then the Frenchman Anthony Martial, with amazing ease in the middle of a very passive defense, scored the goal of the break (29th) in front of a dumbfounded audience.
Liverpool alone at the top
In the second half, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola realized that he had to change his plans. John Stones, off the stroke and more injured, gave way to Nicolas Otamendi. And Algerian Riyad Mahrez replaced Bernardo Silva. A coaching that will prove paying.
After several unsuccessful attempts, a short interruption for throwing projectiles from the stands and a palpable tension on the ground, the lock of the Red Devils has finally yielded. A corner of Mahrez arrived on the powerful head of Otamendi for the reduction of the score (85th).
David De Gea and his teammates then gave their all to resist the waves of the Skyblues. There was certainly Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and the handsome man in front, but Sergio Aguero, the top scorer in Manchester City history and the top scorer in the history of the Manchester Derby, was not there because hurt. Maybe if the Argentinian had been present, the story would have been different.
But the wall built by United has not yielded again. Manchester City already suffered its fourth loss in the league (2-1) in retrograde to 3rd place with 32 points. Liverpool, with its 46 points and unbeaten (15 wins, 1 draw), seems very far now. Between the two, we find Leicester (2nd with 35 points). And Manchester United is getting closer to the top of the table (5th with 24 points, Chelsea is 4th with 29 points). The photograph of the classification at this moment of the season is striking: who will catch Liverpool?