Man City defeat United to go top | Opta Match Stats & Analysis

Manchester City have overturned an eight point deficit and are now top of the Premier League on goal difference. Three weeks ago it seemed unlikely, impossible in fact as Manchester United were on a streak where they’d won six games in a row and not conceded in any of those six games. However as Manchester United lost to Wigan it all seemed to change and as Man City began to play Carlos Tevez more regularly they found themselves on route to a four game consecutive win streak. Goal difference is known as an extra point and that extra point is now in play as Man City are ahead by eight goals on goal difference.

This can all change on Sunday as City travel to Newcastle and will need to win to pile pressure upon Man United who are at home to Swansea, and Swansea will be no push overs – they’ll know they have a say in the title race and will want to show the watching millions what they can do. It’s not going to be easy for either side.

As the form guide on the right shows (last four games) one of the most shocking stats coming after the game was that United had only picked up four points in their last four games since going eight points ahead. Man City’s total in that time is twelve points.

Usually a United side would run away with it and not allow Man City any opportunity to return to the race however it’s happened thanks to the loss at Wigan, draw at home to Everton and now this loss to their title rivals. A turn-around nobody expected or predicted however the title isn’t won yet and there is plenty to play for. It makes for an edge of the seat finish to the season and this weekend will have some excellent live football what with the FA Cup Final, the title race and the relegation battle will also continue – looks like we’re in for a great end to the season.

We’ll leave you the match stats for the game, via our Stats Centre (powered by Opta):

Passing

Manchester City had three players who managed to get into the 90′s with their pass accuracy whilst United had two. Man City only managed one cross out of twenty-six that found a team-mate and it was Silva’s corner for Kompany’s goal! David Silva is now the leading player for goal assists in the league with fourteen goal assists – he sits one ahead of Valencia and Mata.

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