Sunday’s Manchester Derby stole the spotlight after a Phil Foden brace cancelled out Marcus Rashford’s stunning opener, before Erling Haaland secured three points with a 91st-minute goal. Manchester City’s 3-1 win over United puts them within touching distance of Liverpool, their opponents for next weekend. Just one point separates the sides.
Erik ten Hag’s side consequently remain eleven points shy of Aston Villa, who occupy fourth position. Failure to secure UEFA Champions League football could place the Dutch manager’s future in jeopardy.
Premier League Moment of the Week: Gameweek 27
Manchester City 3-1: Manchester United: Phil Foden Stars Despite Marcus Rashford Stunner
Marcus Rashford opened the scoring in the eighth minute after Andre Onana’s long kick was won by Bruno Fernandes, who laid off the English international from range, his first time hit smashed the ball into the crossbar and over the line. His side had been under pressure early and was yet to have a shot on goal.
Phil Foden almost equalised minutes later on a counter-attack but was denied by the goalkeeper. Chance after chance from Rodri, Doku and Erling Haaland were capped off when the Norway international skied a volley from four yards from Foden’s back-post header.
The first half ended with Pep Guardiola’s side dominant although a better touch from Rashford would have seen him through on goal from the halfway line.
City’s patience was tested in the second half, with the home side looking sluggish and out of ideas. Phil Foden changed the momentum by isolating Lindelof on the edge of the box and shifting the ball to his left, before running into space and striking the ball into the same top corner for the first goal.
The 23-year-old capped off the performance when substitute Julian Alvarez slid a pass from out wide, which Foden darted onto, his strike across the goal could only be helplessly deflected by Onana’s fingertips.
City refused to let their rivals touch the ball in the final moments, despite the fourth official’s decision to add eight additional minutes. In the first minute of added time, Rodri caught Amrabat on the ball and played through Haaland, whose trademark curling finish secured three points for the reigning champions.
Phil Foden Display Shows He is Ready to Take the Reigns at Manchester City
Foden was consistently the most dangerous player in the game and created several chances, playing initially off the right and then rotating into more central positions. In the second half, Jeremy Doku made way for Julian Alvarez, who partnered with the English forward on the left and right-hand side of the pitch. Eventually, the Argentine substitute combined with Foden for the second goal.
Discussing the City Academy graduate, Pep Guardiola told BeinSport after the game: “They win games by themselves, this is when you become a world-class player. He’s humble enough and he loves to play football”.
Guardiola also claimed that the first half of his side’s performance “was better than the second”, despite their failure to score. The Stockport-born 23-year-old now has six goals in his last four Manchester Derby’s, the same number as Manchester United.
His performance helped City suffocate Ten Hag’s side who were pragmatic and impressed defensively for most of the game. The home side had more shots (27) than United had possession (26%). Out of those 27, Foden took 9.
Foden’s second goal was his 11th of the season, he also has seven assists. His recent performances will have encouraged fans who hope he can emerge as City’s focal point of the future, and perhaps England’s star player.
The travelling side only had three shots, with Rashford’s stunner the only effort on target for them. His early goal had given them a lead to protect, which they did well in the first half.
Another injury concern may be on the cards for United, as their star boy was seen limping and was withdrawn early in the second half. He had been struggling to get back into the game before his substitution.
Manchester United Suffer Eleventh Defeat at the Etihad Stadium
A win for Erik ten Hag’s side could have given him significant relief, keeping their top-four hopes alive and lifting the mood with a derby day victory. Instead, his side now languishes in sixth place after suffering an eleventh defeat of the season.
The Dutch manager was happy with his side’s effort, and praised Marcus Rashford and Jonny Evans for playing despite “not being 100%”. “They gave everything and I think the performance is very good, only of course we are disappointed with the score”, he told Sky Sports.
His side had defended well and had some early encouragement at 1-0 up in the game. Foden’s equaliser took the game out of their control and with a depleted defence with Lindelof at left back and Jonny Evans against Erling Haaland, they were left helpless.
Manchester City 3-1 Manchester United Stats
Expected Goals xG: Manchester City 3.32 vs 0.26 Manchester United (Via Opta)
Shots: 27 – 3
Shots on Target 8 – 1
Blocked Shots 11 – 0
Possession: 74% – 26%
Passes: 792 – 288
Pass Accuracy: 91% – 79%
Offsides: 0 – 1
Corners: 15 – 2
Yellow Cards: 0 – 1
Red Cards: 0 – 0
Fouls: 5 – 10
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