Manchester Derby: Fellaini Sees Red For Headbutting Aguero As Heavyweight Clash Ends In Slack Stalemate (Video)

Alan Duffy

27th, April 2017

3 Comments

The cherry on the cake of Sky Sports’ ‘Heavyweight Week’ ended in a disappointing affair on Thursday with the Manchester derby ending goalless at Old Trafford.

However, the game did produce some drama, with Marouane Fellaini seeing red for a headbutt on Sergio Aguero.

Shorn of both Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, United rarely threatened the City goal, trying to catch them on the break with the pace of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial will little success.

Indeed, it was the visitors who produced the vast majority of the goal-mouth action, mustering 19 shots in total to the hosts’ measly total of just three.

One of the Citizens’ efforts, courtesy of Aguero, hit the base of the United goal after just nine minutes.

However, the Red Devils stood firm, frustrating City throughout the game.

The hosts’ best chance came via Ander Herrera in the second-half, with the Spaniard heading wide when he really should have scored.

On 79 minutes, Claudio Bravo’s hopes of keeping a full clean sheet were dashed when the unfortunate ‘keeper was forced off with a calf injury after successfully catching a cross, with Willy Caballero taking his place.

What a dismal season the Chilean has had!

Just five minutes later, Fellaini, who had impressed in midfield throughout the game, literally lost his head, headbutting Aguero after initially fouling the striker.

Ref Martin Atkinson had no option but to send off the hot-headed Belgian.

City thought they had won it in injury time, only for sub Gabriel Jesus to have his close-range effort chalked off for offside.

The game would end all-square, a result which will have pleased Arsene Wenger and his sixth-placed Arsenal more than either Jose Mourinho or Pep Guardiola.

City stay fourth, one point behind third-placed Liverpool, while United extend their unbeaten run to a whopping 14 games, but still find themselves a point behind the Citizens in fifth.

Posted in Man City, Man Utd, Videos

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3 Comments

  1. Jarren says:

    Great result for United, who have such a depleted squad.

    While I can’t condone what Fellaini did, I was a bit disappointed in Aguero’s reaction (ie: dive to the floor).

    Fellaini would still have got the straight red if Aguero had stood his ground.

    So as I said, while I don’t condone violence on the field, there’s something just that little bit more sickening about play acting.

    • Pol says:

      United are doing surprisingly well with what they have left of their squad. City have gone off the boil and are lacking edge. Your comments about diving are spot on.

  2. Steve says:

    Er, you guys realize the match was at the Etihad, right? First leg was at Old Trafford…

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