MANCHESTER: Manchester City gained revenge for derby defeat to Manchester United last month by teaching their city rivals a lesson during a 3-1 League Cup semi-final, first-leg win at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
The holders were rampant before the break as Bernardo Silva´s wonder strike, Riyad Mahrez´s cool finish and a goal from Andreas Pereira put City well on track for a 3rd straight League final.
United´s captain for the evening Marcus Rashford restored some pride for the hosts to scale back the deficit 20 minutes from time, but they face an enormous task when the edges meet again for the second leg on January 29.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer´s men had torn City apart on the counter-attack to shock the Premier League champions on home soil a month ago.
That league defeat allied to a different loss at Wolves over the festive season realistically ended City´s hopes of catching runaway Premier League leaders, Liverpool, leaving Pep Guardiola´s men to specialize in the domestic cups and Champions League.
Guardiola showed his intent by naming a robust team but without a natural striker as Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus were left on the bench. The fluid front four of Silva, Mahrez, Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne were too fleet of foot and thought for a United defense without the injured Harry Maguire.
An extra midfielder also helped City dominate possession and nullify United counter-attacks.
The city got their reward with a luxurious strike from Silva to open the floodgates.
The Portuguese international has struggled to succeed in the heights of an excellent campaign as City won a domestic treble last season, but was back to his best as he smashed an attempt into the highest corner from outside the box.
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| Bernardo celebrates his goal for Manchester City with Kyle Walker |
Five minutes later it had been 3-0 as De Bruyne left Phil Jones flat on the bottom before his powerful shot was parried by De Gea into the trail of the unfortunate Pereira, who could only turn the ball into his own net.
Only De Gea´s brilliance and therefore the profligacy of Sterling prevented the scoreline from becoming even more embarrassing for Solskjaer before half-time.
The Spanish goalkeeper spread himself to form a powerful save from Silva before Sterling did not turn home Kyle Walker´s inviting cross as his run without a goal against United stretched to 18 games.
The city eased up after the break but should still have extended their lead when De Gea saved well together with his legs from Mahrez.
Moments later, United grabbed a lifeline once they finally caught the visitors cold on the break as Mason Greenwood teed up Rashford to calmly slot into the far corner for his 17th goal of the season.
But there was no late rally from the Red Devils to further cut City´s advantage because the blue side of Manchester celebrated a 3rd straight win at Old Trafford and a fourth in five derbies on the road since Guardiola took charge.
United was the last team to beat Pep Guardiola's side within the Carabao Cup in 2016, but a repeat result looked unlikely from the instant Bernardo's stunner put City 1-0 up after 17 minutes. Shown inside from the proper onto his left foot, he unleashed an attempt from 20 yards that rifled into the highest corner. David de Gea was left completely helpless.
Bernardo then turned creator for City's second after 33 minutes. it had been an excellent pass from the midfielder to chop through the United defense, and Mahrez was there to run in behind, before taking slightly past De Gea and slotting the ball into an empty net.
The third after 39 minutes was a touch fortunate but no but City deserved for such a dominant half. It came from a swift counter because the ball was worked to Kevin De Bruyne within the box. He beat Phil Jones with ease before seeing his shot saved by De Gea, but the rebound hit Pereira a couple of yards out and ran over the road.
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