Oleksandr Zinchenko insists Man City will ‘come back stronger’ after derby defeat against Man United
Oleksandr Zinchenko has vowed Manchester City will bounce back stronger following their shock derby loss to Manchester United.
Premier League leaders City saw their 21-game winning run come to a sudden halt as they were beaten 2-0 by their arch-rivals at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
It was also quadruple-chasing City’s first defeat in 29 games in all competitions stretching all the way back to November.
Manchester City lost 2-0 against their arch-rivals Manchester United at the Etihad on Sunday
But Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Zinchenko backed his side to bounce back from the defeat
The result may only prove a blip in City’s apparent charge to the title, given they retain an 11-point lead over United at the top, and Zinchenko expects a response in Wednesday’s clash with Southampton.
The left back said: ‘We have to win the next game, we have to be more focused. We are not allowed to go back. We have to go forwards.
‘We are still playing in all competitions. We want to win everything this season and I hope we can do this.
‘We are still alive and we can (afford) mistakes but we are going to come back stronger, I am pretty sure of that.’
City were on the back foot from the outset as United won a penalty with just 34 seconds on the clock, which Bruno Fernandes converted before the visitors went close again through Luke Shaw in a bright start.
Red Devils midfielder Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring from the spot in the first minute
Left back Luke Shaw then doubled United’s lead with a low left-footed effort past Ederson
Zinchenko tested Dean Henderson with a fierce strike and Rodri hit the woodwork as City responded well but United took a firm grip of the match when Shaw doubled the lead after 50 minutes.
It could have got even worse for City but Ederson produced a fine save to deny Anthony Martial one-on-one.
‘It is all about how we started the game,’ added the Ukrainian. ‘To concede in the first minute is not easy to come back from.
‘Afterwards we played much better than the opponent. We controlled the game, we created enough chances but we didn’t score.
‘United are also one of the best teams in the world, they have unbelievable players and they organise well defensively.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (left) and Pep Guardiola (right) exchanged heated words on the sideline
‘It is not easy but still we have to learn a bit more how to come back in the game after these kind of situations.’
United’s victory seems unlikely to change the destiny of the title but it could revitalise them at a crucial time.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side had been criticised for their lack of spark after goalless draws with Chelsea and Crystal Palace in the past week.
They may have been in danger of being dragged back into a battle for a top-four place but they are now in outright second spot.
Red Devils captain Harry Maguire felt Solskjaer deserved a lot of the credit for victory.
United captain Harry Maguire praised his side’s coaches and analyst team after their victory
He said: ‘We have brilliant coaches and a brilliant manager and brilliant analysts as well.
‘Credit to them because they are the ones who sent us out in that formation. We knew they were going to keep the ball at times and the positions they find themselves in.
‘We had to be patient but we had to make sure we kept getting up to the ball, kept getting contact, kept making tackles. We did that really well.
‘For sure we can improve, we can do better in parts of the game, but it’s an important win, an important performance after a disappointing trip to London in midweek. Now we have to dust ourselves down and go again.’
