United Prevails in a Most Entertaining Manchester Derby

The stage, actually, was all set for Manchester City to host a victory celebration.

But who better to spoil the party than their bitter rivals, Manchester United.

Not only Mancunian bragging rights but a shot to wrap up the Premiership title was there for the Citizens.

However, dudes astonishingly blew a two-goal cushion to their bitter rivals and were left to wonder what hit them. That 2-3 stunner's totally counter to how they've played all season.

 

City began the proceedings in their usual dominant fashion, virtually painting the stadium Blue in the first half.

Captain Vincent Kompany and Ikay Gündoğan touched twine in a space of five minutes. Here's the first:

 

If City was to script this match, then Kompany's strike would've been their ideal opening scene.

Dude wasn't gonna be denied.

Gündoğan's was even better:

 

The intermission, though, is not a time to rest on one's laurels.

Or Hardys, for that matter.

 

It was United's turn to grab the paintbrush in the final 45, and they did so with gusto.

If anyone ever doubted, the Devils confirmed that -- domestically, anyway, as opposed to Europe -- they're still the comeback kings.

Paul Pogba rose to the occasion, scoring two quick goals in under 97 seconds to level it all up:

 

 

Critique him now, critics.

And while everyone was sorting out who said what about Pogba, seems like he wasn't gonna be distracted.

Meanwhile, back on the turf ...

 

Chris Smalling may have been soft at his defensive duties, but he then made amends for it.

Talk about scoring the winner in style:

 

The Citizens' title party delayed has been delayed by at least a week.

Until then, Manchester is Red.