LONDON: Michael Carrick’s Manchester United beat Manchester City 2-0 on Saturday, dealing a blow to their neighbors’ title hopes, as Tottenham Hotspur slipped to defeat against relegation-threatened West Ham United.
Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Burnley while Liam Rosenior celebrated his first league victory in charge of Chelsea.
The early result at a rebounding Old Trafford left Pep Guardiola’s City six points behind Arsenal, who could increase their lead when they visit struggling Nottingham Forest in the late opener.
Former United midfielder Carrick was the man in the hot seat after being named manager of the Red Devils until the end of the campaign following the sacking of Ruben Amorim.
Carrick, who was also United’s interim manager briefly in 2021, said before his first match that there was still “magic” at United and his team put on a memorable show at home.
Second-half goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu capped the dominance of United, who have had to play second fiddle to neighbors City for more than a decade.
The home side also had three goals ruled out for offside, while Gianluigi Donnarumma was inspired by City’s goal.
“Great start. There’s no escaping it,” Carrick said. “The boys were fantastic.”
“Consistency is the key to any success,” he added. “If you can find that, then you’re on the right track. That’s our challenge, we have to find a way to do it. A big game next week obviously (against Arsenal), another difficult one, but after today we have a good base.”
Guardiola admitted his side – winless in four league matches this year – had been dominated by Carrick-inspired United.
“The best team won,” said the City boss. “We weren’t at the level needed to win this game. In a lot of departments we weren’t there. They were better. They had an energy that we didn’t have.”
The mood at Tottenham darkened further after Spurs lost 2-1 to West Ham, who had not won a Premier League match since early November.
Crysencio Summerville put the visiting team ahead in the 15th minute with a deflected shot past Guglielmo Vicario.
Cristian Romero headed in Pedro Porro’s cross from the right in the second half to equalize, but substitute Callum Wilson scored the winner in stoppage time – sparking loud boos at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Spurs have now won just two of their home league matches this season, leaving manager Thomas Frank, in his first campaign in charge, under enormous pressure.
Reigning champions Liverpool are now 12 games unbeaten in all competitions, but dropped two valuable points against lowly Burnley at Anfield.
German midfielder Florian Wirtz scored his third Premier League goal of the season, but the visitors improved in the second half and equalized in the 65th minute when Marcus Edwards placed his shot beyond the reach of Alisson Becker.
Chelsea boss Rosenior, who replaced the departed Enzo Maresca this month, saw his side beat London top-flight rivals Brentford 2-0.
Joao Pedro gave the Blues the lead in the first half and Cole Palmer doubled the advantage from the penalty spot in the 76th minute.
Sunderland beat Crystal Palace 2-1 while Leeds United scored late to beat Fulham 1-0.
Published in Dawn, January 18, 2026
