De Bruyne masterclass secures Manchester City convincing derby victory

Perhaps, when Manchester United re-signed Cristiano Ronaldo, they imagined a derby decided by a performance of talismanic brilliance. So it proved; except the match-winner was not the injured Ronaldo and the side celebrating was not them.

Andrei Kanchelskis may retain his status as the last player to score a hat-trick in this fixture, but Kevin de Bruyne achieved a treble of sorts. Two first-half goals were followed by an assist for Riyad Mahrez, who completed a double of his own. In a galaxy of stars at Manchester City, De Bruyne’s can shine the brightest and his was a display of luminous excellence.

For United, the picture is altogether bleaker after a day when they lost fourth place even before they were beaten by their neighbours. They had won on their three previous trips to the Etihad Stadium but it was soon apparent City would complete a derby double.

The gap between local rivals now extends to 22 points. For United, it is another damning statistic. For City, the more pertinent part may be that they are six clear of Liverpool again. It will take some effort to overhaul them; certainly a weakened United team were unable to halt them.

Perhaps it was a derby with a difference, lacking anyone who is a centre-forward by trade in either starting 11. In United’s case it was because Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani were sidelined. For City, it was a matter of choice. They nevertheless have goalscorers in abundance and Mahrez reached 20 in a season for the first time in his career. De Bruyne brought up a half-century in the Premier League before adding his 51st.

Ralf Rangnick’s plans may have needed a late rethink but United played 4-2-4 despite the absence of strikers. Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes instead led the line. If it