Manchester City returns to top of EPL table with derby win

Second half goals from Bernardo Silva and substitute Leroy Sane secured the win as City wore down and eventually outclassed United.With just three games of the season remaining the Citizens now lead Liverpool atop the table by a solitary point. And with fixtures against Burnley, Leicester and Brighton to come, Pep Guardiola’s men will now be red hot favorites to claim its sixth ever league crown.City also remains on course to win a treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup — a feat no English side has achieved before.For United, defeat leaves it in sixth position in the table, behind both Chelsea and Arsenal in the race finish in the top four and secure a place in the Champions League next season.However, there was at least improvement in its woeful performance in losing 4-0 to Everton on Sunday.Little separated the sides in an opening period that saw few chances and plenty of crunching tackles.Yet City showed its abundant quality in the second period as it stretched away as United players appeared to tire.Bernardo Silva scored the crucial first goal in the 54th minute, cutting inside Luke Shaw and firing past David de Gea in the United goal at his near post.United should have leveled immediately. But Jesse Lingard missed the ball when it seemed easier to find the net from Marcus Rashford’s cross.And United was made to pay for its profligacy when Leroy Sane doubled City’s advantage moments later. The German international was fed by Raheem Sterling as City broke away before firing past de Gea who was unable to keep the ball out despite getting a touch.Manchester City captain, Vincent Kompany refused to be drawn on the victory’s importance in terms of the title race when speaking to UK broadcaster Sky Sports after the match, instead saying the win was “significant because it’s a derby.””In the league, nothing is played out yet. Burnley is a difficult away game next and there is plenty to play for both for us and Liverpool. We will deal with the other games in the next days,” Kompany said.More to follow …