Benjamin Mendy reveals half-time team talk that inspired Manchester City's win against United

Goalkeeper Ederson argued United were fortunate to lose by only two goals, such was City’s superiority in 3-1 win at Etihad Stadium

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Reuters

Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City (second right) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United. Getty

Police officers in the stands between Manchester City and Manchester United fans. Reuters

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho after the match. Reuters

There was a lot for Manchester City to celebrate. Getty Images

Manchester United's Romelu Lukaku looks dejected after Manchester City's third goal. Reuters

Manchester United's Romelu Lukaku cannot hide his dismay. Reuters

David de Gea was beaten three times by Manchester City.. Getty Images

Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan celebrates scoring City's third goal. Reuters

Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan fires home from close range. Reuters

Marouane Fellaini of Manchester United battles for possession with Bernardo Silva of Manchester City. Getty

Manchester City's coach Pep Guardiola, right, reacts, as Manchester City's Sergio Aguero walks off after being substituted. AP Photo

Manchester United's Luke Shaw in action with Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan. Reuters

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero with manager Pep Guardiola as he is substituted. Reuters

Manchester City's Leroy Sane has a shot on goal. Reuters

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates. Reuters

Benjamin Mendy revealed Manchester City’s players issued themselves with a half-time warning to prevent a repeat of last season’s derby collapse.

Pep Guardiola's side beat Manchester United 3-1 on Sunday after being a goal up through David Silva at the interval.

But left-back Mendy said that they were conscious of their previous meeting in April, when Jose Mourinho’s team trailed 2-0 after 45 minutes and recovered to win the game – and were eager to avert a sequel.

“In the dressing room at half time, we had spoken about what happened in the derby last year, and we were telling each other not to let that happen again,” the France international said.

“We remember it went 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, so we had to stay focused, keep trying to play and make chances. Every player was saying the same thing: ‘OK, guys, don’t do the same as last year; be careful; pay attention.’ So when we came back on the pitch, we played better than the first half, so won the derby.”

Sergio Aguero added a second goal three minutes into the second half, and after Anthony Martial gave United hope of mounting another memorable comeback with a goal from the penalty spot, substitute Ilkay Gundogan clinched victory for City.

“Kun [Aguero] scored and then Gundogan and it was perfect,” Mendy said. “We stayed focused. We know it was a derby, and for the fans, and for us, the team and the city it’s very important.”

_______________

Read more:

Andy Mitten: The stats don't lie, Jose: Manchester City are light years ahead of United

Premier League team of the week: Silva service in midfield after Manchester derby masterclass

Richard Jolly: David Silva highlights Manchester City's dominance in derby victory over United

Andy Mitten: Remembering the players of Manchester's clubs who made the ultimate sacrifice

_______________

Goalkeeper Ederson argued United were fortunate to only lose by two goals, such was City’s superiority, and argued that they could have extended their advantage.

“We did a great game and [got] a deserved win,” the Brazilian said. “We were way better than United – if we had pushed more we could have got a larger result.”

City had not conceded a league goal since September 1, until Ederson was beaten from the penalty spot on successive Sundays.

Both spot kicks – the first was both won and scored by Southampton’s Danny Ings – were conceded by Ederson, who is encouraged to come off his line by Guardiola, but erred again when he fouled Martial.

"I haven't watched the penalty yet," said the goalkeeper, 25. "I tried to retract my hands, but had no time to do that. There was contact between us, but I don't know if it was enough for a penalty. It's a quick decision in a moment of the game. I tried to get the ball, it happens. When a goalkeeper makes a mistake, there is no one to save the goal. A striker can miss three or four chances and still score the fifth. It's different for a goalkeeper."

Defeat leaves United in eighth place and with a negative goal difference, and City midfielder Bernardo Silva, who set up his side's first and third goals, suggested they are almost out of the title race, as he warned their neighbours they now have no margin for error.

United are 12 points behind City, and the Portuguese said: “It won't be easy. Not only Man City – 10 points from Liverpool, a lot of points from the other ones as well. They need to be almost perfect and wait for the other ones to lose a lot of points.”

United substitute Juan Mata said they have to reflect on what went wrong, as what had been an encouraging week, including a Uefa Champions League victory over Juventus, ended on a sour note.

“If after Turin we returned home happy and positive, after the Manchester derby we obviously felt the complete opposite,” the Spaniard wrote in his blog.

“It is a tough defeat to take because it is a special fixture. It is the time to analyse what we are doing well and where we have to improve, to make sure we’re at our best for the barrage of games that awaits us between now and the end of the year.”