On a day of high drama in the English top flight, Wolves manager Gary O’Neill and Southampton boss Russell Martin were both sacked, paying the price for their teams’ struggles.
In the match at the Etihad, City’s defender Josco Guardiol scored a goal, Bruno Fernandes scored a penalty in the 88th minute of the game, and Amad Diallo scored a goal two minutes later to make it 2-1.
Defending champions City – who have dominated English football for the past decade – have now won just one game in 11 games in all competitions and Guardiola is looking for answers.
“I’m not immune, I’m the boss, I’m the manager. I have to find solutions and I can’t find solutions,” the Catalan said after the low-quality encounter.
“It’s a big club, when you lose eight out of 11, something is going wrong. What can I say? The schedule is tough, the players are injured? No.
“I’m the boss, I’m the manager and I’m not good enough. It’s as simple as that.”
Guardiola’s men trail Liverpool, who have a game in hand, by nine points and sit out of the Champions League places, in fifth place.
Injury-hit City were far from their best at the Etihad but looked to be on course for a crucial win as the clock ticked down against their neighbors before they self-imploded.
Mathias Nunes’ sloppy back pass was intercepted by Diallo and the Portuguese midfielder clipped the United winger in an attempt to make amends.
Fernandez equalized with a penalty goal.
Diallo then ran onto a simple long ball over the top of City’s flat-footed defence, finishing well to complete a remarkable turnaround.
The victory was a huge relief for new United manager Ruben Amorim, who had won just one of his first four Premier League games.
“I think it has a deep meaning for the fans, especially in this context, at this moment,” the former Sporting Lisbon boss said after his first Manchester derby experience.
“We had a difficult moment a week ago with the storm at home against Nottingham (Forest). It was a really difficult moment after the game. We are very happy today, but we have to keep the three points.”
United ended day 13 of the Premier League schedule — where it started — after Tottenham beat bottom club Southampton 5-0.
Chelsea charge
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Enzo Maresca’s high-flying Chelsea moved to within two points of long-time leaders Liverpool after they beat Brentford 2-1 at Stamford Bridge with 36 points.
The home side dominated the first half and were rewarded shortly before the break when Mark Cukrella nodded home Noni Maduke’s cross.
Nicholas Jackson doubled Chelsea’s lead in the 80th minute and they cruised to victory despite a late strike from Brentford forward Brian Mbeumou.
It was a fifth consecutive win for Chelsea, who look like Liverpool’s main rivals this season, with Arsenal and City shy.
But Maresca is still worried about his side’s title prospects.
“It’s not about how many games we win,” he said. “It’s about being realistic. There are things we have to do better. That’s why I said, for me, we’re not ready.”
Tottenham’s romp on the south coast was the latest chapter in a topsy-turvy season for Ange Postecoglou’s men, who have now won seven and lost seven of their 16 top-flight matches.
James Maddison took the lead after 36 seconds and Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski and Pep Sar added more goals in a 25-minute spell.
In the stoppage time of the first half, England’s midfielder Maddison scored the second goal to make it 5-0, but he could not add anything in the second half.
Southampton released a statement shortly after the game, saying Martin had made the “difficult decision” to leave the club bottom of the Premier League nine points from safety.
O’Neill was sacked after a fourth straight defeat at Wolves in the relegation zone.
In the early kick-off, Ismaila Sarr scored twice as Crystal Palace moved four points clear of the relegation zone after a 3-1 win at Brighton.