Man City's 44-pass goal: Reactions to move that took up 2.13% of the match
- Published
Ilkay Gundogan's decisive goal in Man City's 3-1 derby win over United was the result of a 44-pass move
"Oh my word, what a team goal! They must have kept it for 50-60 passes."
Actually, Robbie Savage, it was *just* the 44 passes as Ilkay Gundogan finished off a superb team move to seal the Manchester derby in City's favour. Still, not bad.
Over the course of a minute and 55 seconds - or 2.13% of the entire game - the hosts produced neat one-touch moves, triangles and dynamic runs, leaving the Red Devils chasing shadows.
And what a time to bring it together, with Jose Mourinho's Manchester United seeking an equaliser in the closing stages after Anthony Martial had halved the deficit to 2-1 at Etihad Stadium.
There was no passing it about at the back, or dilly-dallying with goalkeeper Ederson - nearly every pass in the move happened in either the middle or final third, before working it to Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling and finally Gundogan, who pulled the trigger.
"The reason to pass the ball is to move the opponent," City boss Pep Guardiola said afterwards. "To just pass the ball makes no sense."
At least Manchester United fans still have Mata's 2015 goal...
The move left Match of the Day 2 pundit Alan Shearer purring. "It was incredible, absolutely magnificent," Shearer said.
"City were full of confidence, and everyone knows what their plan was there - they knew they were keeping hold of the game, to try and get United to come at them.
"United didn't really want to press them - it was half-hearted and, if you do that against City, they will punish you.
"If you give their guys that time on the ball - time to take a touch, to turn, to pick their head up and play their passes when they want to - they will do exactly what they did to United."
In time-honoured tradition, social media went into meltdown.
Former Manchester City playmaker Rodney Marsh called it "THE perfect goal",, external while BBC Match of the Day host Gary Lineker said City "really are one hell of a side"., external
Others just went straight in on the gifs..., external
If you're wondering (and you probably aren't), you'd need nine hands
But it's not all bad for the red half of Manchester. City's move was one short of the 45 produced by United for a Juan Mata goal against Southampton in 2015.
City have previous as well, sticking 52 passes together in scoring against West Brom in the Carabao Cup last season., external
Your comments on Manchester City's 44-pass goal:
Sonsofpunjab: Man Utd and Man City may be in the city but are worlds apart when it comes to football.... City so so good, Utd so so awful.
Andrew Reyes: In truth, City are on another planet compared to United.
David: Brilliant play and control by City. No comparison in the two teams. Well done City!
Manchester United's social media team may have slightly played down the move