Manchester City have returned to the summit of the Premier League after seeing off Manchester United in the city’s first derby of the season.
David Silva and Sergio Aguero gave Pep Guardiola’s side the lead but after surrendering a two-goal lead in this fixture last season, United remained hopeful of causing another second-half stir.
Anthony Martial did that after scoring from the penalty spot but Ilkay Gundogan’s finish four minutes from full time settled any late nerves.
City’s early menace suggested United’s record of conceding four times in the opening 15 minutes of Premier League matches this season was going to get worse and it was Silva, so often their tormentor, who extended that unwanted record.
Picked out by Raheem Sterling’s wonderful cross, Bernardo Silva crept in behind Luke Shaw to cut the ball back to his namesake who fired past countryman David de Gea.
While United were able to keep the champions at arm’s length for the remainder of the half, it took them just three minutes to double their lead in the second.
After a delightful one-two with Riyad Mahrez on the edge of the box, Aguero powered past Victor Lindelof before firing a vicious effort through the hands of de Gea – a goal that saw the Argentine equal Wayne Rooney’s scoring record in this derby.
United were without last season’s talisman in Paul Pogba, who was ruled out of the match day squad due to an injury suffered in the midweek against Juventus, with Alexis Sanchez only deemed fit enough for the bench.
Romelu Lukaku, the forgotten man in recent weeks, sat alongside him until called upon to replace Jesse Lingard after 57 minutes, delivering an instant impact. Martial’s through ball was a hopeful one for the Belgian, but Ederson’s rash decision to come racing out of goal made it worthwhile, taking out the striker with Anthony Taylor pointing to the spot.
With no Pogba, Martial took over penalty duties, registering his seventh goal of the season.
Juan Mata and Alexis Sanchez were introduced as United attempted to recreate last season’s thriller but the hosts remained in firm control, largely thanks to the presence of their two Silvas in the middle of the park.
Gundogan's finish from 10 yards finally killed off their hopes for good.
