Event of the Day: Manchester City versus Manchester United
Our event of the day is the Premier League fixture between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. The first Manchester Derby of the year sees a high-flying City host a struggling United. City sit at the top of the table and are yet to lose a domestic match this season. United sit in 7th, having enjoyed a three-game win streak that has pushed them out of the mid-table position they have occupied for most of the season. The Derby never fails to excite so be sure you don’t miss this game between these two long-standing rivals. After a record-setting season last year, Manchester City have continued to dominate the top tier of English football. In 11 games, they have allowed a total of 4 goals. They have scored 33 goals and have failed to score in only a single game (a goalless draw against Liverpool in early October). The team’s top scorer this season, Sergio Agüero, has scored more goals on his own than Huddersfield has as a team. Elsewhere on the field, midfielder Fernandinho has shone as an attack-stopping player who is quick with an interception and adept at starting attacks. Meanwhile, defender Benjamin Mendy leads the team in assists, displaying a finely-tuned balance of strong defensive play and crucial support on the attack. They come into this game against their oldest rival having scored 12 goals in their last two matches (6-1 versus Southampton and 6-0 versus Shaktar Donetsk). With the talent, determination and passion they show on the field, Manchester City continue to be the team to beat in English football.
Manchester United have had a slower start to the season. While they have won 6 games, the 3 games they lost tell a clearer story. A 3-2 loss to Brighton, a 3-0 to Spurs and a 3-1 loss to West Ham suggest that this isn’t the giant of English football the world saw during the Alex Ferguson years. United however still remain a solid team, boasting talent like Anthony Martial, David de Gea and Paul Pogba. But a team five years removed from their last league title is a far cry from the Manchester United that used to strike fear into the heart of the Premier League. However anything can happen in a Manchester Derby and it should be a thrilling game.
Honourable mentions around the globe to the Fed Cup Finals, where play continues on Day 2 of the competition. The Fed Cup is the premier international women’s tennis tournament and the Czech Republic face the United States at the O2 Arena in Prague. The final three matches of the finals take place today. The Czech Republic enter Day 2 with a 2-0 lead in the best of five tournament following two close matches yesterday. However, the United States are sure to persevere so expect an exciting day of tennis today. Elsewhere, in the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs look to continue their dominant season as they host the struggling Arizona Cardinals at Arrowhead Stadium. In NCAA Basketball, 4th ranked Duke, with their freshmen sensations R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson, look to go 2 for 2 early in the season as they host Army at the Cameron Indoor Stadium. In Formula 1, the Brazilian Grand Prix takes place at Interlagos.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by Premier League