Manchesterin derby toi Citylle loistoa Unitedille murhetta ja Liverpool jatkaa Valioliigan kärkivireessä
On Sunday evening, Manchester lit up for another derby—though only one side of the city got much joy from it. While City strutted out of Old Trafford with a swagger, United left with dropped shoulders and more questions than answers. Meanwhile, up on Merseyside, Liverpool reminded everyone why they’re sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table—this time in the kind of last-minute drama that leaves fans breathless.
City Crush United on Their Own Turf
A derby should be fiery, tense, maybe even unpredictable. But the one at Old Trafford? It was more of a statement performance from Pep Guardiola’s men. City didn’t just win—they bossed the entire match, brushing Manchester United aside with a ruthless 3–0.
From the opening whistle, City grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. United barely strung together a meaningful attack before Phil Foden coolly tucked one in after 18 minutes, silencing the home crowd. By halftime, the story was already being told in numbers: four shots on target for City, only one lonely effort for United.
Then came the second half and, with it, the inevitable: Erling Haaland. As if on cue, the Norwegian striker exploded. Two goals in quick succession—his third and fourth of the campaign—sealed it. The 0–3 scoreline almost flattered United, who looked toothless against their neighbours’ relentless rhythm.
United’s Slide Gets Steeper
For Erik ten Hag, the pressure is building. United have managed just one win in their first four league matches, and that stumble leaves them languishing in 14th place. With performances like this, the questions won’t go away: Is there any real foundation in this team, or is faith in the manager starting to crack?
City, on the other hand, eased a few early doubts with this victory. They’re not at the very top yet—they sit in eighth—but the manner of their display suggests they’re already sharpening their claws for the climb.
Liverpool Love a Late Show
While Manchester was caught up in its derby drama, Jürgen Klopp and his Liverpool side quietly kept business rolling—and once again, they left their fans buzzing. Against stubborn Burnley, it looked like points might finally slip through the Reds’ hands.
But then came a twist. In the 84th minute, Burnley’s Lesley Ugochukwu picked up a second yellow card, leaving his team with ten men. Suddenly the door creaked open, and Liverpool didn’t waste the chance. Deep into stoppage time—five minutes beyond the 90—Mohamed Salah stepped up to bury a penalty, securing a gritty 1–0 victory.
That strike not only extended Liverpool’s winning streak to four, but it also carved out a three‑point cushion at the top of the Premier League.
The Table at a Glance (Sept 14, 2025)
- 1. Liverpool – 12 points (perfect record so far)
- 8. Manchester City – 6 points
- 14. Manchester United – 3 points
Sunday’s Tale in Two Cities
The results told two very different stories:
- Manchester: City looked polished and hungry, while United looked lost. Right now, it feels less like a rivalry and more like a gulf.
- Liverpool: Even when the performance isn’t dazzling, Klopp’s men have a knack for finding a way. That’s the kind of composure champions are built on.
What’s Next?
- United face West Ham in what’s shaping up to be a make-or-break week for Ten Hag.
- City, with Haaland hitting his stride, will try to keep momentum going against Everton.
- Liverpool, meanwhile, head to London for a clash with Chelsea—a true test of whether their strong start is shaping into something bigger.
💭 For the fans: Is this the beginning of another lost season for Manchester United, or can they claw their way back before it’s too late? And is Liverpool’s relentless start the sign of a coming title run, or will City reclaim the crown once the autumn grind sets in?
What do you think?