Fourth-place Manchester City welcomed fifth-place Manchester United to the Etihad in the Premier League on Thursday night.
Both teams had chances in an open first 45 minutes, but neither could make the breakthrough as the pair entered the half-time break on level terms.
Man United had to finish the game with 10 men following a late red card for Marouane Fellaini, but the Red Devils held on to secure a point at the home of their rivals.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from the Etihad Stadium, and it is a quite a big one as Manchester City welcome Manchester United for the Manchester derby. These matches are always important, but the current state of the Premier League table means that both teams will be even more desperate for the points tonight. It is Pep Guardiola against Jose Mourinho, Man City against Man United once again, and you can follow all of the coverage with us right here!
Tonight will be the 174th meeting between these two teams in all competitions. Man United lead the head-to-head 72 victories to Man City's 50, while the remaining 51 fixtures have finished level. In the league, meanwhile, Man United have won 33 Manchester derbies to Man City's 19, although Man City recorded a 2-1 victory when they travelled to Old Trafford earlier this season.
Indeed, Mourinho's first league defeat as Man United boss came earlier this season when Man City won 2-1 at Old Trafford. It was the Red Devils that emerged victorious in the corresponding league game during the 2015-16 campaign, however, with Marcus Rashford grabbing the only goal in a 1-0 win. There is simply no downplaying the importance of tonight's derby at the Etihad, for both teams.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news from Manchester. Both of these sides were in action at the weekend – Man City losing 2-1 to Arsenal in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, while Man United recorded a 2-0 victory at Burnley in the Premier League. Any changes?
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TEAMS!
CITY: Bravo; Zabaleta, Kompany, Otamendi, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Toure; Sterling, De Bruyne, Sane; Aguero
UNITED: De Gea; Valencia, Bailly, Blind, Darmian; Herrera, Carrick, Fellaini; Mkhitaryan, Rashford, Martial
The big team news for Man City is the absence of David Silva, who misses out with a hamstring problem, but Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho are both fit, while Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov come into the back four. Claudio Bravo keeps his position between the sticks, while Raheem Sterling is recalled to an attack which also includes excellent duo Leroy Sane and Kevin de Bruyne.
As for Man United, Paul Pogba's absence, which was confirmed by Mourinho at his press conference on Wednesday, means that there is a spot in midfield for Michael Carrick, who captains the Red Devils. Meanwhile, Anthony Martial is given the nod alongside Marcus Rashford and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the final third. Antonio Valencia at right-back is back in the team, replacing Ashley Young.
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So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Manchester. I shall speak about Man United a little bit later, but let's start with the home team. It has been an up and down first season for Guardiola in English football, and his side will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Elimination to Arsenal means that it will be a trophyless first season for Guardiola, which is not exactly what the Spaniard is used to. They fell short in the Champions League after losing to a talented AS Monaco team, while the former English champions are currently fourth in the Premier League table – 14 points behind the leaders Chelsea and seven points off second-place Tottenham.
Nineteen wins, seven draws and six defeats is how Man City's Premier League record reads this season. They suffered a 2-1 defeat at Chelsea on April 5, which effectively ended their title hopes, but bounced back with wins over Hull City and Southampton to keep them in the top four. Missing out on a spot in the Champions League would have to go down as a failure for Guardiola.
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The Citizens are still well-placed to end the campaign in the top four, however, while they are actually only two points behind third-place Liverpool with two games in hand. It is not against all realms of possibilities that Man City and Man United both finish in the Champions League positions this season ahead of Liverpool, who continue to struggle against the so-called lesser teams.
There has been a lot of talk about Man United's home form this season, but Man City have not fared much better at the Etihad. Indeed, Guardiola's side have only won eight of their 15 league games on home soil this season, although just one of those fixtures has brought a defeat. They have also struggled to score goals at the Etihad this term – managing just 27 in 15 fixtures.
In terms of what is ahead for Man City, they will travel to Middlesbrough in their next Premier League match on April 30, before facing Crystal Palace, Leicester and West Bromwich Albion in three straight home games between May 6 and May 16. Their season will then end away to Watford on May 21.
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As for Man United, the Red Devils will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 win over Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. It is now 23 Premier League matches since Man United last tasted defeat, while they have won their last three against Sunderland, Chelsea and Burnley without conceding. Suddenly things have started to click very nicely indeed for the Red Devils.
Injuries are threatening to derail their excellent form, however, and in addition to challenging for a top-four spot in the Premier League, they also have the semi-finals of the Europa League to think about. The first leg of their last-four affair will take place away to Spanish outfit Celta Vigo on May 4, with that match sandwiched between Premier League games against Swansea City and Arsenal.
Man United will then welcome Celta to Old Trafford for the second leg of their Europa League semi-final on May 11, before ending the Premier League season with games against Tottenham (A), Southampton (A) and Crystal Palace (H). Mourinho's side will then hope to have the final of the Europa League towards the end of next month, but there is a lot of football to be played before then.
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Incredibly, Mourinho has failed to win any of his last four Premier League games against Man City, while the Portuguese has won just four of his 18 meetings with Guardiola. It is a rivalry that was red-hot in La Liga, although both have been quite tame in the build-up to this match. I am not sure whether we will be seeing any pushing and shoving on the touchline at the Etihad tonight!
The last time that these two teams met on a Thursday in the Premier League was in November 1994, with Man United recording a 5-0 victory courtesy of a hat-trick from Andrei Kanchelskis and goals from Eric Cantona and Mark Hughes. The final of the League Cup meant that this particular fixture had to be rearranged, and neither team wants to be playing on a Thursday night.
Man United have drawn too many home games in the Premier League this season (9), but the Red Devils have been impressive on their travels. Indeed, the 20-time English champions have won 10 of their 15 away games this season, suffering just two defeats. Another win tonight and surely Mourinho's side would be the favourites to finish in the top four this season. Kickoff is imminent!
3 - The previous 3 #ManchesterDerby @premierleague games officiated by Martin Atkinson have seen @ManUtd score a 90th minute winner. Drama. pic.twitter.com/cKMD9hiPth
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 27, 2017
KICKOFF! Man United kick things off at the Etihad...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight. Both sets of supporters are in fine voice - let's hope the football matches the occasion. It has been a high-tempo start to proceedings as both teams look to set a marker in the early exchanges here.
A terrific cross from Herrera causes a problem inside the Man City box, but Zabaleta manages to clear ahead of Fellaini as Man United carve out a half-chance in the early moments here.
One thing to note in the early exchanges - Rashford has Kolarov on toast when it comes to pace. The England international has already had a couple of chances to stretch his leg in a wide area.
Just a few signs that Man City are starting to settle here as the home side force a couple of corners in quick succession, with Aguero pulling onto Blind. The home supporters cheer another corner for their team, but it is too deep and eventually Martial hooks clear of the danger zone.
Martial skips away from two challenges before setting up Rashford, but the Englishman was in an offside position. It is clear that Man United can threaten with their pace in the final third here.
POST! Oh my word! Wonderful chance for Man City to take the lead as Aguero meets a low cross De Bruyne, but his effort smashes the post. The forward just had to score!
Fernandinho is fortunate to escape a yellow card for hacking Mkhitaryan to the deck.
Strange refereeing from Atkinson as Martial drives past Kompany before going down under the challenge of the centre-back, but the official waves play on. Looked a clear foul for me.
Otamendi then pulls Rashford to the ground, but again no free kick. Bizarre.
So, 15 minutes on the clock at the Etihad, and we are still goalless. The biggest chance of the match has come for Man City, but Aguero could only hit the post from close range. Man United are causing problems with their pace in the final third, but the Red Devils are yet to create a chance.
Carrick goes to talk to Atkinson as another free kick goes against Man United. It does appear that the home side are getting the rub of the green when it comes to free kicks at the moment here.
CHANCE! De Bruyne delivers a stunning ball into the Man United box, but there are no takers! I cannot believe that not one Man City player has gambled on that excellent cross.
More pressure from Man City as the home side pass and probe in the final third of the field, but Man United shuffle across before making the clearance. It is a game of cat and mouse at the moment.
Rashford again uses his incredible pace to break onto a loose ball before winning a set piece, but the resulting corner fails to beat the first man, allowing Man City to clear their lines. Still goalless at the Etihad with 22 minutes on the clock, but this game is starting to bubble along very nicely indeed.
SAVE! Comfortable for De Gea to keep out De Bruyne's effort.
Stunning challenge from Bailly to take the ball away from Sane, who had dance into the Man United box and looked to pick out a pass. Rashford continues to cause problems down the other end.
SAVE! Bravo manages to keep out a close-range effort from Mkhitaryan after the Man City goalkeeper had bizarrely palmed a cross from Martial straight to the Armenian. Wow!
Watching that again from Bravo, that was very strange. Man City get away with it though!
Pressure from Man City in the last couple of minutes as they continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field, but Man United manage to clear for a corner as Martial tracks the run of Zabaleta.
A weak header from Otamendi drops harmlessly wide of the Man United post.
CHANCE! Stunning chance from Kolarov to find Aguero at the far post, but the ball just has too much pace and Man United, who failed to clear their lines, escape a dangerous moment.
SAVE! Diving save from De Gea to keep out a strike from Aguero.
Man United just cannot keep the ball at the moment as the pressure from the home side continues. However, Rashford and Martial are scaring Man City to death with their pace in the final third of the field. Man City have certainly shaded the opening 34 minutes of this Manchester derby at the Etihad.
CLOSE! Aguero just misses the crossbar with a rasping strike!
Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and Man City continue to dominate the possession as they pass and probe in the final third. Man United just cannot get out here.
SAVE! De Gea turns Kolarov low effort wide of the post.
Penalty shout for Man City as Toure goes down inside the Man United box under pressure from Herrera, but the referee is not interested. Plain and simple it was a dive from the Ivorian.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining, and Man City continue to boss the ball and indeed boss the match. Rashford again has the chance to burst away from Otamendi, but the Englishman is isolated in a wide position. Rashford's pace is absolutely incredible.
Handbags at dawn as Herrera clashes with Fernandinho and Toure in the middle of the park. Not an awful lot in it, but it is quite nice to see some fire between these two teams in midfield.
The referee has had a poor first half. He has blown for free kicks that were not, while he has allowed a number of late challenges to go unpunished. There has not been a single yellow card, which I suppose is nice to see, but there are a couple of players very fortunate to not have been carded.
Sterling misses the crossbar with an effort from outside the Man United box.
CHANCE! Oh my word! Wonderful chance for Man United as Herrera meets a super free kick from Rashford, but the Spanish midfielder somehow heads wide of the post!
We are into the first and only minute of added time at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Man City 0-0 Man United
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Man City have had more of the possession and indeed the better chances, but Herrera missed a glorious chance to send Man United ahead in the final minute of the half. It has been an interesting game, but referee Martin Atkinson has had an absolute stinker in the middle of the park.
STATISTICS! Man City have dominated the possession with 62%, while they have had 10 attempts - three of which were on target. Man United, meanwhile, only hit the target with one of their two attempts in the opening 45 minutes. No yellow cards, but there probably should have been.
BENCH WATCH! Jesse Lingard, Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young are among those on the Man United bench tonight, and it might well be a game for Rooney to come off the bench and contribute. As for Man City, the home side have the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Jesus Navas in reserve.
RESTART! Man City kick things off on home soil...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
SAVE! De Gea gets down to keep out a low strike from Sterling after the England international had taken out a number of red shirts with a brilliant run from a deep position.
SAVE! Another save from De Gea as the Spaniard denies Aguero.
Not much from Man United in the second period, with the home side in control of the possession and looking the team more likely to make the breakthrough. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be crucial. One goal would well decide this football match.
Man United are very, very deep at the moment, which surely is not in Mourinho's plan. You just wonder whether Lingard might be able to have an impact on this sort of match.
More smart goalkeeping from De Gea as the Man United stopper makes light work of a cross from Kolarov, who found more space in a wide position. In truth, this Manchester derby has been a bit of a disappointment thus far. Man United seem to be set up to try and secure a point in this game.
All Man City at the start of this second period as the home side continue to dominate.
Man City have another penalty shout as Sane goes down inside the box under a challenge from Herrera, but the referee is not interested. Mourinho continues to act as cheerleader for his side.
CLOSE! De Bruyne's effort from distance rattles the side-netting!
Little under 30 minutes of football remaining at the Etihad Stadium, and we are still goalless. You do get the feeling that one goal would be enough to decide this football match. Still no movement on either bench, although both managers will surely be considering changes at this stage.
Aguero fires over the crossbar after meeting a loose clearance from Valencia.
There has still not been a single yellow card in this match, with 63 minutes now on the clock.
Man United are camped outside of their own box at the moment as Man City continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. The home supporters demand more from their team here.
More pressure from Man City as they continue to force the issue with a couple of corners in quick succession, but Man United continue to clear their lines. The visitors are holding on at the moment.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Man City as Otamendi meets a corner from Sane, but Bailly just about does enough to head over his own crossbar. Super defending from the Ivorian!
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining, and Luke Shaw has been sent to warm-up as Darmian hits the deck. Still no changes, which is a surprise at this stage of the contest.
It is Blind with some good defending once again as the Dutchman clears a near-post cross from De Bruyne, who has been the best player on the pitch tonight. Man United just cannot keep the ball.
SAVE! Good hands from De Gea to keep out a strike from Sterling.
Which manager will make the first change of this match? Surely it is coming. Man United have been really poor going forward in the second period, but they have been very tight at the back.
Pass, pass, pass from Man City. Defend, defend, defend from Man United. De Bruyne decides to have a pop from distance, but his effort was always rising over De Gea's crossbar.
Rashford delivers a corner straight into the arms of Bravo. Sums United's half up to be honest.
Bravo is on the deck holding his calf. Play has stopped for a moment!
Still Bravo sits on the ground. Change will surely need to be made here.
MAN CITY SUB! Willy Caballero replaces Bravo for the home side.
Good grief. Bravo is strapped into a stretcher with this calf strain. Not sure about that!
MAN CITY SUB! Navas replaces Sane for the home side.
MAN UNITED SUB! Lingard replaces Martial for the visitors.
I suspect that there will be around five minutes of additional time at the end of this match, meaning that there is still a good 15 minutes to play at the Etihad Stadium. I still fancy a late goal in this one.
Still goalless in this Manchester derby at the Etihad, and in truth, it has been a disappointing game. Man United appear happy to settle for a point, while Man City have gone cold in the last few minutes.
BOOKING! Fellaini (Man United) is booked for chopping Aguero down.
RED CARD! FELLAINI!
Fellaini has just been sent off for throwing his head into Aguero!
Fellaini put his head into Aguero. Not sure about the contact, but it is a red card for the Belgian.
MAN UNITED SUB! Fosu-Mensah replaces Mkhitaryan for Man United.
MAN CITY SUB! Jesus replaces Sterling for the home side.
All Man City as they look to make the late breakthrough here.
BOOKING! Jesus (Man City) is booked following an altercation with Rashford.
We are into the first of six additional minutes at the Etihad.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Gabriel has the ball in the back of the net for Man City, but the offside flag is raised!
MAN UNITED SUB! Young replaces Rashford for Man United.
Defence versus attack as Man City pin Man United back here.
Goal-kick for Man United is Jesus turns wide of the post following a smart cross from Navas. More time is wasted as the away side close on a point that would be very precious indeed.
CLOSE! Aguero turns the ball away from goal after meeting a cross from De Bruyne!
We are into the seventh minute of added time here.
FULL-TIME: Man City 0-0 Man United
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Man City and 10-man Man United sharing the points in a goalless draw. It is a better result for Mourinho than it is for Guardiola. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
