Manchester City trio included in Garth Crooks’ Team of the Week after derby day victory

Ex-Tottenham Hotspur forward Garth Crooks has included three Manchester City stars in his BBC Sport Team of the Week following their annihilation of Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.

Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez both claimed a brace each as they beat the Red Devils 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium, leaving their place at the top of the league safe for now.

As a result of a brilliant City display, Crooks included the scoring duo, as well as Joao Cancelo, in his team.

On Cancelo, who has been one of City’s best players this season, Crooks said: “The tackle on Anthony Elanga in the second half as the game was starting to get interesting was emphatic.

“For a defender who doesn’t know a great deal about Manchester derbies, Joao Cancelo certainly let Elanga know he was in a game.

“If Aaron Wan-Bissaka was having trouble down their right side with Phil Foden, then Cancelo had Elanga in his pocket.”

The Portuguese international has made 26 appearances in the Premier League this season, scoring once and providing five assists.

Crooks was also full of praise for De Bruyne and Mahrez, who outclassed the Red Devils all afternoon.

“His [De Bruyne] first goal was put away with consummate ease, while his second was tucked away with the authority of a player with one hand on the Premier League title and no intention of letting go of it,” Crooks said.

“De Bruyne is back to his best and with him in this mood I wouldn’t bet against City winning the title if he can remain fit.”

Meanwhile, Mahrez is enjoying arguably his best season since joining City in 2018.

The 31-year-old scored his 20th and 21st goals of the campaign at the weekend, which Crooks described as “two of the sweetest strikes you will ever see”.

Elsewhere, Chelsea also had three players included in the Team of the Week (Thiago Silva, Reece James and Kai Havertz), while Fabian Schar, Philippe Coutinho, Ivan Toney and Bukayo Saka completed the line-up.