Pep Guardiolaadmitted that his players ‘felt the pressure’ of the Manchester derby before emerging convincing winners on Sunday.
David Silva and Sergio Aguero — with a stunning strike — put Manchester City in front before Anthony Martial dragged a disappointing United back into the game from the penalty spot.
Guardiola revealed that United’s comeback from two goals down to win the corresponding fixture in April was preying on City’s minds until substitute Ilkay Gundogan put the result beyond doubt.
‘We felt the pressure,’ Guardiola said. ‘They wanted to do well in the derby, that’s normal. But we played like “I don’t want to lose the ball” but not with the intention to attack.
‘We started the second half much better. After we conceded the goal, it was always inevitable to think about last season and what happened again in that situation, but we didn’t concede another chance.
‘In the second half the game is a bit open, so we have to find more space but we made a good performance against a top, top team. That goal from Sergio Aguero helped us a lot after half-time.’
The result continued City’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season and has the reigning champions two points clear of Liverpool at the top of the table.
Guardiola refused to get carried away. ‘We are just two points in front — it’s nothing. Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, they have numbers to be champion. Not just Man City.
‘But I am so satisfied. If we maintain the level and at the end Liverpool win or another win, we shake hands and don’t have regrets.’
Defeat brought United back down to earth after their Champions League win over Juventus on Wednesday night.
Their manager, Jose Mourinho, claimed that two big away games in the space of five days had taken its toll on his players, compared to City who had it ‘easy’.
‘Everybody has to agree, it is one thing to go to Juventus and play against one of the best teams in the world for 90 minutes — a game that demanded everything we had to give not just physically but also mentally — and another thing to beat Shakhtar Donetsk at home 6-0 and be very relaxed,’ Mourinho said.
-Dailymail