Manchester\nCity struck an important blow in their pursuit of a second successive Premier\nLeague title with a convincing derby victory over Manchester United at Old\nTrafford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pep\nGuardiola’s side knew anything but a win would leave Liverpool at the top of\nthe table and in charge of their own destiny with only three games left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
City\nwere anxious in a goalless first 45 minutes but turned up the heat after the\nbreak to take them one point clear at the top of the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They\nhave played the same number of games as Liverpool, performing with control and\ncomposure to eventually outclass United.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bernardo\nSilva’s low drive went inside United keeper David de Gea’s near post after 54\nminutes and the keeper was at fault again when Leroy Sane’s drive went straight\nthrough him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Liverpool\nmust now respond at home to relegated Huddersfield Town at Anfield on Friday,\nwhile City travel to Burnley on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
City’s\nplayers showed nerve as well as quality to come through what many felt would be\ntheir toughest assignment between now and the end of this enthralling title\ncampaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They\ncould have been forgiven for fearing the worst after a goalless first half in\nwhich they were superior but saw chances get away and also demonstrated a\ntendency to over-elaborate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead,\nthey moved through the gears after the break to run out easy winners in front\nof their jubilant fans, who clearly recognised the significance of winning this\ngame in hand to move ahead of Liverpool and stay in control of their own\ndestiny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sane’s\nintroduction after Fernandinho’s injury gave City extra cutting edge but it was\nthe magnificent Silva who made the breakthrough when his low shot went past the\npedestrian De Gea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
City\nnever looked back, although in truth they barely had a moment’s trouble\ndefensively all night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sane’s\nsecond – proving again what an attacking weapon he is – merely gave the\nscoreline a greater air of reality and the closing stages resembled a training\nexercise as City kept possession and United chased shadows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Guardiola\nand his players celebrated at the final whistle after their second big win\nafter edging past Spurs on Saturday. Two big questions. Two big answers from\nManchester City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The biggest question of all – who will be champions? – remains to be answered, but at least City know it remains in their hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BBC Sport<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Manchester City struck an important blow in their pursuit of a second successive Premier League title with a convincing derby victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Pep Guardiola’s side knew anything but a win would leave Liverpool at the top of the table and in charge of their own destiny with only three games […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27983,"featured_media":9279,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_paywall_metabox":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[102],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9278","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n