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在线翻译:
szdaily -> Sports -> 
Manchester United fightback stuns City
    2018-04-09  08:53    Shenzhen Daily

MANCHESTER City had one hand on the Premier League title but astonishingly let it slip as Manchester United completed a stunning second-half comeback to win a thrilling Manchester derby Saturday.

Needing a win to land the title, City took a 2-0 first-half lead, but missed several gilt-edge chances as it ran United ragged.

However, United stunned the host with two goals in a minute after the break from Paul Pogba and Chris Smalling’s controlled volley secured the points as Jose Mourinho’s side won 3-2.

Pep Guardiola’s side appeared on course to be crowned champion with a record six games to spare when it eased into a 2-0 half-time lead.

Vincent Kompany’s powerful header broke the deadlock before Ilkay Gundogan spun away from Nemanja Matic to double the home side’s lead five minutes later.

Yet City crucially failed to land the knockout blow, allowing United to climb off the canvas after the break and make sure its rival has to wait to secure the trophy for a third time in the Premier League era.

At the end of a week where Guardiola had revealed to the media Pogba was offered to City in the January transfer window, the Frenchman scored twice in the space of three minutes to level matters.

Chris Smalling volleyed home the winner in the 69th minute, handing City a second straight defeat following its 3-0 Champions League reverse at Liverpool on Wednesday. Raheem Sterling hit the post and David De Gea saved superbly from Sergio Aguero in a frantic last five minutes.

City’s form throughout the campaign had made it less of a title race and more like a procession. However, despite having the finishing line in sight, Guardiola had to also look ahead to the return leg with Liverpool.

With that game in mind, the Spaniard decided to keep Kevin De Bruyne in reserve, the Belgian among a powerful bench that also included the fit-again Aguero.

United made the short trip hoping to delay the inevitable, and for 25 minutes it stifled its host. However, a City side who has rarely required much help this season was assisted by errors for both of its first-half goals.

Antonio Valencia’s miscued clearance gave away the corner that Kompany emphatically headed in, the defender out-muscling Smalling to thump home a finish reminiscent of his derby goal at the same ground six years ago.

Pogba scored twice in the space of three minutes to stun the City crowd, the first a brave finish beyond Ederson after Ander Herrera had chested the ball into his teammate’s path.

(SD-Agencies)

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