It was Pep's City who came out victorious in the second Semi Final game between Manchester United and Manchester City. This loss not only made sure United saw their 11 games unbeaten run come to an end, but it also subjected them to a 4th consecutive Semi Final defeat(Last season's EFL, FA Cup, and Europa League).
Knowing fully well that a win/lose can only be the end result of this contest, both teams cake out well prepared, but it was City who dominated the game from the beginning to the end and they ended up leaving the Theatre of Dreams with a deserving win.
The game was nothing short of entertaining as we expected with 3 goals chalked off in the first 24 minutes. The first was a deflected Marcus Rashford shot that came off John stones and in to the back of City's net, bit it was ruled out as Rashford was judged to be offside. 5 minutes later, it was City's turn as Ikay Gundogan(who scored against Chelsea in City's last outing) who was ruled to be offside after getting the ball into United's net. The 3rd disallowed goal, this time by City's Phil Foden came in the 24th minute after Bruno Fernandez'brilliant effort was denied by Steffen and Kevin De Bruyne's screamer rattled off the goal post.
Nothing could separate both sides at the end of the first half, but it was goals from the least likeliest sources that ensured City came out victorious in the 2nd half. The first goal came from John Stones in the 50th minute as he converted a Phil Foden's free kick into the back of the net. United did everything they could to get back into the game, but City's impressive backline and dominance made sure all their(United) efforts were futile, and it was City that made it 2 in the 83rd minute when Fernandinho drilled home a weak Aaron Wan-Bissaka's clearance from a corner kick.
The game ended with no further goals giving City a deserving victory over Ole's United, and ensuring we will have a scintillating EFL Final between Pep's City and José's Spurs on Sunday April 25, 2021
Pep Guardiola once again proved to be the master at tactical games when he changed his team's formation from his usual 4-2-3-1 to 3-5-2 in just 15 minutes into the game, ensuring his team took total possession of the midfield. Another masterclasw from Pep Guardiola. The balance he has also created with this City team is really massive, they barely concede goals whilst they ensure they get the ball into the back of their opponents.
Both teams' attention will now be shifted to their weekend's FA Cup game with United welcoming Watford on Saturday, and City hosting Birmingham City on Sunday. .
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Much Love from your amiable Football Analyst, IbkDaGreat.
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