Underwhelming Manchester derby ends in stalemate at Old Trafford

Manchester United and Manchester City played out an anticlimactic 0-0 Premier League draw on Sunday in a low-key derby that dealt a blow to City's bid for Champions League qualification.

Pep Guardiola's team, who were missing their top scorer Erling Haaland through injury, are fifth in the table on 52 points while United languish in 13th on 38.

"Tight game. They had chances. We had chances as well," Guardiola said. "The only problem is we moved too much with the ball. We had to be in the right position and we didn't do that."

With both sides struggling through difficult campaigns, neither created many clear-cut chances, particularly in a drab first half at a sun-drenched Old Trafford.

The first scoreless derby since 2020 picked up after the interval as City striker Omar Marmoush unleashed a blistering shot from 25 yards that forced United goalkeeper Andre Onana into a terrific save.

Joshua Zirkzee had United's best opportunity midway through the second half when he turned and struck a half-volley that forced City keeper Ederson into an outstanding two-handed save.

United's clean sheet was their first at Old Trafford since a 4-0 rout of Everton on December 1, 2024.

The previous derby had been far more entertaining with United stunning the champions in December with a 2-1 win at Etihad Stadium thanks to late goals by Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo.

Fulham's first-half blitz puts Liverpool's title procession on hold

Fulham put Liverpool's procession towards the Premier League title on pause with a deserved 3-2 win on Sunday, capitalizing on some dreadful defending to boost their push for European football next season.

Alexis Mac Allister gave the champions-elect an early lead with a wonderful long-rang shot before a reignited Fulham hammered home three goals in 14 minutes. Ryan Sessegnon rifled home a superb first-time volley, after stand-in right-back Curtis Jones failed to clear a cross, before a series of mistakes from Andy Robertson lead to Alex Iwobi scoring. Rodrigo Muniz completed the turnaround, winning a second ball with a lovely first touch ahead of Virgil van Dijk then producing a sublime finish through Caoimhin Kelleher's legs.

Conor Bradley  played in fellow substitute Luis Diaz to instinctively poke home with nearly 20 minutes to play, but Fulham held on for the three points to end Liverpool's 26-match unbeaten league run.

"At 3-2 they put us more under pressure, but until that we were the better team by far on the pitch," Fulham boss Marco Silva told Sky Sports.

Silva hailed his team's response to a midweek loss at Arsenal and a disappointing defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup quarter final last weekend.

"To be losing after two defeats is tough, but to then react and score three goals in the first 45 minutes and show the resilience in the second half, what a way to bounce back," he said.

Liverpool remain top with 73 points from 31 games, 11 ahead of Arsenal. They need a maximum of 11 points from their remaining seven matches to win the title and, while that remains a virtual certainty, their performance will concern Arne Slot.