Manchester Derby: Big Calls & Deepening Woes Define Battle For City Supremacy

Manchester City and Manchester United’s long-standing rivalry took a new turn over the weekend as the two sides played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at Old Trafford. The match saw plenty of drama and controversy, with big calls and deepening woes defining the battle for city supremacy.

Rashford’s Rise and Haaland’s Absence

The match was billed as a clash between two of the Premier League’s most in-form strikers, Erling Haaland and Marcus Rashford. However, Haaland was ruled out with an injury, leaving City without their talismanic goalscorer. Rashford, on the other hand, continued his impressive form, scoring United’s first goal and playing a key role in their second.

VAR Controversy and Penalty Drama

The match was also marred by some controversial decisions from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). In the first half, United were awarded a penalty after Anthony Martial was adjudged to have been fouled by Kyle Walker. However, replays showed that the contact was minimal, and many felt that the penalty should not have been given.

In the second half, City were also awarded a penalty after Scott McTominay was penalised for a handball. However, the decision was again controversial, with many arguing that the handball was unintentional. Both penalties were converted, and the match eventually finished 2-2.

Defensive Woes for Both Sides

Despite the attacking quality on display, both sides also showed significant defensive weaknesses. City’s defence, which had been so solid in recent months, was caught out on several occasions by United’s pace and movement. United, meanwhile, were exposed on the counter-attack and conceded several clear-cut chances to City.

Implications for the Title Race

The draw leaves City with a five-point lead over United at the top of the Premier League table. However, Arsenal’s win over Tottenham Hotspur means that the Gunners are just one point behind City with a game in hand. The result also means that United’s hopes of winning the title are hanging by a thread.

Conclusion

The Manchester Derby was a thrilling encounter that had a major impact on the Premier League title race. The big calls and controversial decisions will continue to be debated for days to come, but the match also highlighted the defensive weaknesses of both teams. With Arsenal closing the gap at the top of the table, the battle for city supremacy is far from over.