In pursuit of Champions League qualification, Manchester United prevailed as 2-0 victory over arch-rivals Manchester City on Sunday, courtesy of two howlers from City shot-stopper Ederson.
Although Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay were the goalscorers, it was Ederson who was the main culprit for both of the goals as he saw Martial’s effort squirm under him in the first half and then a weak kick in injury time gave McTominay the chance to finish into an empty net.
This was United first league home victory against the Citizens since 2015 and they now stay within touching distance of the top four and a Champions League spot, with only three points between them and fourth-place Chelsea who beat Everton 4-0 earlier in the day.
This victory has also ensured that current table-toppers Liverpool needs just two victories to be crowned as league champions, a feat they achieved 30 years before.
The city plays twice before Liverpool play again, at home to Arsenal on Wednesday and then home to Burnley next Saturday. Liverpool next faces Everton away on March 16.
McTominay told Sky Sports after the match: “That was such a sweet moment. Credit to the boys. Sticky first 20 minutes and we had to keep going.
“We will take confidence from that but in the coming weeks we have got to keep the run going.
“It’s such a beautiful feeling to score like that in front of the fans. But we can’t get too carried away and need to keep pushing for the Champions League.”
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer added: “Anthony and Bruno have hit if off. It is a privilege to be a manager of a squad with this attitude. You can’t ask for more. They are going to improve as players as well.”
United are now unbeaten in 10 matches. They took the lead following a spell of sustained pressure. Bruno Fernandes went down under a challenge from Ilkay Gundogan and in the resulting freekick, the new recruit chipped the ball over the City defence to a waiting Martial who volleyed it goalwards. Ederson got a touch to the ball but it wasn’t enough as it slid underneath him and into the net on the half-hour mark.
Ederson nearly allowed United their second goal on 49 minutes. A terribly controlled backpass saw the goalkeeper and Martial diving for the same ball, however, the Brazilian managed to get there just ahead of his opponent.
Ederson’s nightmare match was complete when a dreadful clearance found McTominay, who made no mistake in injury time to guide the Red Devils to a league double over the Citizens, and the third win over City this season.
