United beat CSKA, while City see off Sevilla
It was a good night for Manchester in the Champions League as both United and City picked up valuable wins.
Louis van Gaal‘s men went into tonight’s Group B game at Old Trafford on four points, with this evening’s opponents also on four, meaning it was a crucial match for the Red Devils.
As for City, they went into the Group D game on six points after picking up two wins and a defeat in their opening three matches, while their opponents were on just three.
Manchester United
With eyebrows raised about the lack of goals at Old Trafford, tonight was the night Van Gaal would have wanted to see some attacking flair from his side, but sadly for him, it wasn’t to be.
However, they did pick up all three points and it was a goal for under-fire captain, Wayne Rooney.
It could have all been different however if it wasn’t for David De Gea and Chris Smalling, who worked well to both deny Seydou Doumbia.
After a very tedious affair in Manchester, a Jesse Lingard cross was met by Rooney, who headered home in the 79th minute to give United the 1-0 lead.
That is how it stayed for the hosts as they cemented top spot in Group B on seven points.
Manchester City
It was a much more fruitful night for Manuel Pellegrini as he saw his side net three past Europa League winners Sevilla in Spain.
It was a superb start for the Citizens as they were 2-0 up after just 11-minutes thanks to goals from Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho.
The visitors were pulled back however in the 25th minute as Benoît Trémoulinas pulled Sevilla back in the game, only to concede once again just 11-minutes later.
Wilfried Bony got his name on the score-sheet for City and it was the final game of the game.
The win puts City top of their group on nine points and all-but cements their spot in the knockout stage.
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
