Manchester United came from a goal down to beat Man City 2-1 in the derby and move to within a point of Pep Guardiola's side in the table.
Are Manchester United now in the Premier League title race? That's the question that was floating around Old Trafford after the Red Devils came from behind to beat City 2-1 and cut the gap to the defending champions to just a point.
City had humiliated Erik ten Hag's side back in October when the teams met at the Etihad, but the Red Devils enjoyed a slice of revenge here and continued a fine run that means they have lost just once in 19 games since that 6-3 defeat.
Marcus Rashford, who else, was the star of the show once again for the Red Devils. The England international shrugged off an injury scare to inspire his team to a second-half comeback.
Substitute Jack Grealish had headed City into the lead, but United responded with two goals in four minutes late in the second half to snatch the win.
Bruno Fernandes equalised in controversial style, with Rashford clearly in an offside position, but the goal was allowed to stand and suddenly United were back in the game. Four minutes later, Rashford swept home Alejandro Garnacho's cross to cut the gap to leaders Arsenal to just six points.
Here's GOAL's winners and losers!
GettyWINNER: Marcus Rashford
The England international continued his prolific run of form by scoring his eighth goal in his last seven games to secure United a 2-1 win and three valuable points.
Rashford had been lively in the first half, twice going close to scoring, but gave the home fans a giant scare when he went to ground just before the half-time whistle after appearing to pick up an injury.
He managed to keep going, however, and ended up being key to their victory once again. Debate will rage about his contribution to Bruno Fernandes' equaliser, as he was clearly offside, but he made sure he didn't touch the ball and allowed the Portugal international to sweep home instead.
There were no doubts at all about Rashford's winner. The forward was alive to the threat created by Alejandro Garnacho and stuck out a leg to poke home his 16th goal of an increasingly stellar season.
AdvertisementGettyLOSER: Erling Haaland
City's summer signing ran riot the last time these two sides met at the Etihad back in October, netting three times and becoming the first player to score three successive Premier League home hat-tricks.
Yet it was a different story entirely at Old Trafford. Haaland barely had a kick, had to listen to Man Utd fans taunting him throughout the game, and has now gone three matches without a goal.
Haaland might have been licking his lips ahead of the game too, after seeing United boss Ten Hag start with left-back Luke Shaw alongside Raphael Varane in the heart of the backline.
Yet United managed to isolate the striker and, other than a blocked shot and a vague appeal for a penalty, he contributed very little during the 90 minutes.
GettyWINNER: Bruno Fernandes
Man City looked set to do the double over their local rivals after Grealish had opened the scoring but were pegged back when Bruno Fernandes equalised on 78 minutes with an assured finish.
City were furious about Rashford's contribution but could do nothing about Fernandes. The Portugal international whipped an excellent finish past Ederson to score another crucial goal and put United right back in the game.
The captain then ran straight to the linesman, who had his flag up, to remonstrate with the decision. Fernandes knew full well he was onside when he ran onto Casemiro's pass and the decision eventually stood.
He may not be providing the numbers from a couple of seasons ago just yet, but today was a huge moment as the 28-year-old looks to inspire an unlikely title challenge.
GettyLOSER: Man City's title hopes
Saturday's defeat means United moved to within a point of City in second place in the table and leaves Pep Guardiola's side still five points behind leaders Arsenal, and having played a game more than the Gunners.
It's not a fatal blow to City's hopes of retaining the title by any means but it will make their task that much harder. Arsenal will also know they can move eight points clear with a win over Tottenham on Sunday in the north London derby. Motivation indeed, not that it will be needed against Spurs.
City's quality and the strength in depth of Guardiola's squad means it would be foolish to write the defending champions off after 18 games. However, it does mean they really can't afford to drop too many more points between now and the end of the season if they are to finish top of the pile once again.
