Manchester City cruise to derby victory as heat turns back up on Solskjaer

Premier League champions outclass rivals to claim a 2-0 win at Old Trafford

Bernardo Silva celebrates scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United in the Premier League match at Old Trafford on Saturday, November 6, 2021. PA

Bernardo Silva scores Manchester City's second goal past Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea. PA

Bernardo Silva scores Manchester City's second goal. PA

Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo during the match as Manchester City players celebrate in the background. AFP

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, centre, heads the ball. AP

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes after Manchester City scored their second goal. Getty Images

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne takes a shot on goal. AFP

Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissakaattempts to block a cross from Manchester City forward Phil Foden. AFP

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola issue instructions from the touchline. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo attempts a volleyed shot on the Manchester City goal. Getty Images

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson saves Cristiano Ronaldo's volleyed shot. PA

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly scores an own goal as Manchester City take a 0-1 lead. PA

Reaction after Eric Bailly scores an own goal to give Manchester City the lead. PA

Eric Bailly after he scored an own goal to give Manchester City the lead at Old Trafford. AFP

Manchester City players celebrate after taking the lead courtesy of Eric Bailly's own goal. Getty Images

Manchester City returned to winning ways in the Premier League on Saturday after cruising to a 2-0 victory over local rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.

City's title defence hit an unexpected setback last week with a 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace, but an own goal from Eric Bailly and a close-range finish from Bernardo Silva moments before half-time were enough to secure all three points for Pep Guardiola's side.

The result is sure to turn the heat back up on United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after his side was thoroughly outplayed once again by a key rival. Two weeks after their 5-0 humiliation at the hands of Liverpool - and a week after a temporary reprieve with the win at Tottenham - United were again outclassed and while the scoreline was not quite as lopsided, the manner of the defeat will be cause for concern.

City, who displayed excellent game management, barely allowed the hosts the ball, limiting them to just one-third possession. Their only shot on target was a first-half volley from Cristiano Ronaldo, which was comfortably palmed away by City goalkeeper Ederson.

Both City goals exposed United's continued defensive vulnerabilities and lack of intensity. In the seventh minute, Joao Cancelo was allowed space and time to whip a dangerous cross into the area and Bailly sliced his attempted block beyond David de Gea and into the roof of the net.

Cancelo earned his second assist of the match in the 45th minute when his curled cross beat the United defence and found Silva on the backpost, where his Portugal teammate poked home to double City's lead. A fine cross and finish from City, but United full-back Luke Shaw was guilty of losing his man and failing to intercept the cross before it made its way to Silva, while De Gea should have done better at his near post.

City had numerous chances to increase their lead in the second half and earn a more comfortable scoreline befitting their dominance, but had to settle for a 2-0 victory.

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