Manchester derby confirms another Man City matchwinner for Pep Guardiola

Manchester City have had to adjust this season to the loss of two of their matchwinners.

Ilkay Gundogan proved what a clutch player he could be in the run-in to the Treble with decisive contributions in the spring and summer, while Riyad Mahrez over the years showed his mentality on the biggest stages - in particular the run to the Champions League final in 2021. The new signings could do that in time, but it is a big ask to come in and instantly deliver.

However, not only can Pep Guardiola still count on his own group of mentality monsters - Bernardo Silva and Rodri were terrific against United - but there are also new winners emerging in the squad. At Old Trafford, Ederson gave more evidence of his improvement this year.

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Ederson's kicking game has always been second to none in the Premier League, and some excellent Match of the Day analysishighlighted how one pass in the derby took out six United players. The move for the second goal was started by him, helping the team go from back to front and cut through the Reds.

Arguably more important was the save from Scott McTominay just before half-time. It had been a half that City had asserted total control in after a sloppy first ten minutes, and they had a lead on the scoreboard to show for it.

However, the McTominay shot had the hallmarks of recent derbies and other games where the Blues dominate yet somehow do not get the win. It also looked like an effort that probably would have beaten Ederson - who erred twice at Old Trafford in 2020 - not so long ago.

Had United scored, that would have changed the game going