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  • Sports - Football - Gossips
  • Updated: January 12, 2023

Premier League Weekend Of Derby Rivalry

Premier League Weekend Of Derby Rivalry

The hostilities in Manchester and animosities in North London are imminent in the English Premier League over the weekend.  

Manchester United and Manchester City are first up on Saturday (12:30 GMT) as the Red Devils' attempt to spring a surprise and close the gap on the defending champions who are firing on all cylinders in the league to retain their title.

Whereas, on Sunday (16:30 GMT), Tottenham will square things up against Arsenal to forestall the Gunners - who are apparently gunning for the Premier League title - from extending their lead further at the top of the table.

Both Manchester Clubs and North London Clubs were at each other's throats before the league was temporarily paused because of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

In the first derby tie in Manchester on October 2 last year, the fixture was a demolition showdown that got the Red Devils rattled and left them writhing in pain.

The noisy neighbours hit the Red Devils for six in what was a scintillating Manchester derby, with Phil Foden and Erling Haaland both going home with the match balls for netting hat-tricks.

It was not the derby match every supporter from across the divide had expected as the Cityzens went into halftime 4-0 up thanks to a flurry of goals after Haaland scored his first of the game in the 34th minute. 

The United fans were gutted by the scoreline at the break and staged a walkout of the away end at the Etihad Stadium.

They were aghast and devastated to see their team conceding 4-0 at half-time for the second time since Brentford made them fall to a 4-0 defeat in August.

It was hard to blame the travelling supporters for leaving considering that Erik Ten Hag’s men were ridiculous and disappointing to watch in the first half.

United did, however, reduce the deficit in the second half but the damage had already been done.

A fantastic goal from Brazilian winger Anthony in the 56th minute and two consolation goals from Anthony Martial in the last ten minutes made the scoreline of 6-3 look slightly less embarrassing.

Erik Ten Hag fumed at his players' performance after the game and genuinely admitted that Man City folded the Red Devils like a ‘pack of cards’ in the derby.

“It’s a lack of belief. When you don’t believe in the pitch then you can’t win games: that is unacceptable.

"The plan was to show bravery and confidence but we didn’t from the first minute.

"We left Haaland and we were not tight. For the first goal, we won the ball and could have created a great chance but instead, we gave it easily away and then it was like a pack of cards," a scathing Erik ten Hag said of his players during his post-match interview.

Arsenal's meeting with Tottenham did play out differently. The derby was feisty as the two North London teams played with the intention of taking no prisoners.

The Gunners drew the first blood in the 20th minute as Thomas Partey bent a side-footed strike from distance past Hugo Lloris and into the top corner.

"It was a well-deserved opener as Arsenal started off by far the better side.

Tottenham, despite being on the back foot, did respond 9 minutes later as Harry Kane made no mistake to convert from the spot following a clumsy challenge from Brazillian Gabriel on fellow compatriot Richarlison inside the penalty area.

The derby, by this point, became tightly drawn, prompting Arsenal's coach Mikel Arteta and Tottenham's coach Antonio Conte to repeatedly bark orders at their players' from their technical area.

Arsenal then sealed the three points after goals from Gabriel Jesus and Granit Xhaka put them beyond the reach of their rival neighbours in the 49th minute and 67th minute, respectively. Jesus's goal came after he capitalised on a costly mistake from Lloris, while Xhaka coolly fired a low shot into the far corner.

Arteta left the Emirates happy of the two managers and he described the performance of his men as 'great.'

"I'm really happy, it was a great performance, a great day with an incredible atmosphere to play in.

"I'm so grateful to all the people that connect with the team in a special way," a delighted and proud Arteta said of his side after the derby.

On account of these previous derby meetings of Manchester and North London Clubs, it is expected that football fans will be left thrilled once again to a cracker of derby fixtures.

There is something for all the derby teams to play for as the stakes are very high this time around. 

United, City, Arsenal and Tottenham all want to win the derby to boost their title-winning chances and/or secure a top 4 slot, but there can only be one winner in these derby games.

Arsenal go into the derby as first on the table with 44 points, Man City are in second position with 39 points, Man Utd are in 4th with 35 points and Tottenham sit in 5th position on the log with 33 points.

In the second and final derby meeting in the league at the weekend, Man Utd will welcome Man City to Old Trafford, while Tottenham will play host to Arsenal.

 

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