Juan Mata
Manchester United beat Manchester City 1-0 at Old Trafford to move into the quarterfinals of the EFL Cup.
It was far from a classic, with Juan Mata settling the game in the 54th minute when he stroked home from just inside the box.
Kelechi Iheanacho had the first chance of the game, but could only head over at full stretch from inside the six-yard box.
In truth it was a cagey start with neither side able to take a stranglehold of the game. City thought they might have had a penalty when Aleix Garcia went down under a challenge from Michael Carrick, but no spot kick was given.
United struggled to impose themselves on what was a second-string City defence, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic seeing a free kick deflected harmlessly wide.
Luke Shaw finally made inroads from the left with 10 minutes to go before the break. but Ibrahimovic’s shot again hit a defender and missed the target. The Swede then played in Marcus Rashford with a superb pass, but the young striker took too long to shoot and was crowded out.
City then improved again as half-time approached but it remained goalless at the break. Vincent Kompany’s latest appearance after injury only lasted 45 minutes as Aleksandar Kolarov was introduced.
United produced their best move of the game four minutes into the second period, Ibrahimovic feeding in Paul Pogba but Willy Caballero produced a fine save to push the ball onto the post — the Frenchman then curled another effort well wide from just outside the D.
The home side finally found the breakthrough in the 54th minute. Ibrahimovic played a pass across the box and after Ander Herrera and Fernando collided the loose ball ran for Mata, who sidefooted home from 10 yards out. It was the sixth consecutive game in which City had conceded the first goal.
United had control of the game from that point, although the introduction of Raheem Sterling from the bench did give City some life — but there was to be no way back. Pep Guardiola’s team didn’t have a single shot on target.
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