Gary Neville makes Premier League title claim after Arsenal and Man City victories

Gary Neville insists Manchester City’s derby win at Old Trafford hasn’t changed his mind over the destination of this season’s Premier League title.

Enzo Maresca’s new-look side overcame the odds on Sunday as City secured a 1-0 win, courtesy of Erling Haaland’s controversial goal.

The FA Cup holders were due a bit of good fortune given they were forced to play with 10 men for over an hour after Phil Foden’s dismissal.

While the England international could have few complaints, Bruno Fernandes made the absolute most of the contact Foden made with a kick that caught him in the midriff.

City, however, responded superbly to that blow with summer recruits Elliot Anderson and Iliman Ndiaye, who came on as a half-time substitute, particularly impressive.

Three points meant a fourth win out of four for City who are keeping pace with champions Arsenal at the top of the table.

The Gunners, themselves, secured an impressive victory at the Stadium of Light on Saturday night and Neville still believes Mikel Arteta’s men are still the team to beat this term.

‘There was a point probably two or three weeks before the end of the transfer window when City didn’t have in Bouaddi, Enzo Fernandez and Ndiaye that you thought they look well short, particularly in midfield,’ Neville told Sky Sports.

‘They get those three in late on which is £250million worth of business I think and it’s transformed the look of the team.

And I think the big thing for City is it’s going to come down to the defence. It’s going to come down to Dias being fit. It’s going to come down to Gvardiol being fit.

‘The experienced players back there and Guehi, obviously. If you can keep that back four and you’ve got Khusanov on the bench and Nico O’Reilly, it’s a youngish back four as with some younger defenders.

‘If they don’t pick up injuries Manchester City they can give Arsenal a real run. I still think Arsenal are better, but City have improved enormously with the signings they made at the end of the window.

‘ That today was big for Maresca, to establish a big-game mentality.’