City Impose Their Will on United

According to the standings, nine points -- three games -- separated the two superpowers in England's second-largest city.

According to what was on display today, that's an insurmountable gap for José Mourinho's crew to close.

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City dominated a good part of this derby, and frankly, the 3-1 result flattered Manchester United to deceive.

As if that makes a difference.

 

In didn't take long for City to show how this day was gonna go.

In the 12th minute, Bernardo Silva kept Raheem Sterling's cross alive, and the Portuguese international found David Silva, who fired past David de Gea from point-blank range:

Despite the goal, United pulled themselves together, and held City's attack at bay.

For the first half, anyway.

After the break, it was a different story, and quickly. In the 48th minute, United lost the ball at midfield and allowed Sergio Agüero to combine for a one-two with Riyad Mahrez, as the Argentine put it away:

Substitute Romelu Lukaku allowed United to pull a goal back from the penalty spot after he was brought down inside the area by goalkeeper Ederson.

This was in the 58th minute. Anthony Martial stepped up and smote home for the Red Devils:

United's goal did energize them for a few moments, but an equalizer was never close.

Finally, in the 86th minute, the Citizens wrapped it up through İlkay Gündoğan, following an impressive 44-pass buildup.

Bernardo Silva's nifty cross found the German, who then netted one of the easier goals he's ever gonna get:

This means United's now four games behind in the standings.

What's more, dudes would have to jump seven clubs to get where they want to go:

If that ever happens, maybe Mourinho is indeed the Special One.

They'll have enough of a challenge trying to jump four clubs and earn a Champions League berth.