Advantage Pep: first blood to Guardiola as Kevin De Bruyne inspires Manchester City derby win over United
The Belgium international and Kelechi Iheanacho scored in the first half at Old Trafford, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic netting for Jose Mourinho’s side
Pep Guardiola drew first blood in his renewed managerial duel with Jose Mourinho as Manchester City deservedly won an absorbing Premier League derby 2-1 against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Kevin de Bruyne, who was never appreciated by Mourinho when they were at Chelsea together, proved instrumental in City’s magnificent win after scoring the opener and making the second for Kelechi Iheanacho before half-time.
It was the first encounter between Guardiola and Mourinho, former El Clasico sparring partners, since 2013. The clash also gave the former Barcelona coach an eighth win in 17 encounters with the former Real Madrid manager.
“We are happy. I think the spectators enjoyed it because it was open until the end,” Guardiola told the BBC. “First half we were better. In the second half, it was difficult. We had counter-attacks and we didn’t finish.”
With his side being outpassed and outclassed in a one-sided first half, Zlatan Ibrahimovic brought United back into the match just before the break after a mistake by City’s new goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
Bravo’s error on a hugely unconvincing debut inspired a much more even second half and Ibrahimovic had goal ruled out for offside before man of the match De Bruyne hit the post as City maintained their 100 per cent record this season to move three points clear at the top of the table.