A huge upset ensued at the Etihad Stadium as Manchester United held their ground to beat rivals Manchester City in Sunday's derby. The Red Devils scored twice in the afternoon's encounter, ending the Citizens incredible 21-game winning streak in all competitions as a result.
Manchester United had the perfect start, earning a penalty just 33 seconds after kick-off following Gabriel Jesus' challange on Anthony Martial in City's penalty box. Bruno Fernandes then stepped up to convert the chance for his 16hth goal of the Premier League season.
92 – Bruno Fernandes' penalty was the 92nd taken in the @premierleague this season, equalling the same number from the entirety of last season. Interpretation. pic.twitter.com/k9jYbWbE1H
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 7, 2021
Five minutes after play resumed for the second half, Luke Shaw added to the blistering campaign he has had so far by doubling Manchester United's lead. The in-form English full-back and the rest of his teammates subsequently contributed positively in defense and remained resolute to deny Pep Guardiola's men the opportunity to get on the scoresheet.
In retrospect, City's remarkable record-breaking winning run in all competitions was halted at 21 games, while their 28-game unbeaten streak was also ended. The Etihad outfit was just a win away from establishing a new club milestone of 29 games without tasting defeat should they have defeated Manchester United.
Meanwhile, manager of the Old Trafford outfit Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, secured a third successive win over Pep Guardiola's side with Sunday afternoon's result. As such, he became the first manager in Manchester United's history to win each of his first three away meetings against the Citizens in in all competitions.
Below are a few more interesting facts about the encounter as per Opta:
1 – Among the 67 managers Pep Guardiola has faced more than three times across all competitions as a top-flight boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjær is the only one to have beaten the Spaniard (4) more often that he has lost to Guardiola (3). Devil. pic.twitter.com/RKl7lhGLJq
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 7, 2021
28 - Manchester City were beaten for the first time since November 2020 (0-2 v Spurs), ending a run of 28 games without defeat across all competitions for Pep Guardiola's side. Blow. pic.twitter.com/wSLgK1rsr9
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 7, 2021
2 - Today is the first time that both Liverpool and Manchester City have lost a home @premierleague game on the same day since March 3rd, 2007, when Liverpool lost to Man Utd under Rafael Benítez and Man City to Wigan under Stuart Pearce. Rest. pic.twitter.com/9JHXWyAP0u
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 7, 2021
8 - Kevin De Bruyne created 8 chances today, the joint-most by a player in a @premierleague game against Man Utd (since 2003-04), and the fourth different man to do so -
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 7, 2021
07/03/21 - @DeBruyneKev
10/05/16 - @dimpayet17
01/12/12 - @nickyshorey22
31/01/10 - @cesc4official
Woe. pic.twitter.com/1JEGZcbCUh