Report: Manchester City 3 Manchester United 1 – Foden inspires City to comeback win
Phil Foden inspired Manchester City to a derby day win over rivals Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.
Marcus Rashford gave the red side of Manchester the lead in the eighth minute with a stunning effort from outside the box, which left Ederson with no chance.
Phil Foden scored twice to equalise and then give City the lead before Erling Haaland made sure of all three points as City kept pace with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.
Story of the game
City started the game the better side, forcing two successive corners. However, neither caused United too many problems and were cleared. City wanted a penalty a minute later when John Stones went down off Casemiro’s challenge, but Andy Madley was unmoved.
In the eight-minute Rashford, he sent the Etihad Stadium into shock. A long ball from Andre Onana found Bruno Fernandes; he cut the ball back to Rashford; he smashed his effort past the dive of Ederson, who stood no chance against the power and pace of the shot—his fifth goal against Manchester City in the Premier League.
In the 15th minute, City came close, United causing their own problems as they failed to deal with a throw-in. Bernando Silva sent Phil Foden through on goal, but the England winger could not get the better of Onana, who stood up tall to prevent the goal.
Rashford then spurred a great opportunity. He was sent through centrally but got his touch all wrong, and Kyle Walker’s speed enabled him to get back and sniff out the chance for the England striker.
United were playing a high line, and Foden should have punished them. Kevin De Bruyne finds the unmarked City man. He was one-on-one with Onana but couldn’t beat the United keeper, who blocked his effort away for a corner, which came to nothing.
In the 33rd minute, Haaland had his first chance of the game; Jeremy Doku got the better of Diego Dalot, and his cross found Haaland, but his effort was off target.
Onana then had to be alert to make a superb stop to deny Rodri.
Right on half time, Haaland should have levelled the contest. Foden’s header across goal found the big striker, but he somehow turned his effort over the bar.
City started the second half as the dominant force. They finally broke the United resistance in the 56th minute. With an excellent curling effort that left Onana with no chance, Foden roared City back into the contest.
The City youngster then added his and City’s second ten minutes from time. He played a one-two with Julian Alverez and then fired into the bottom corner past Onana to put the Champions in front for the first time in the contest.
Haaland secured the win after being played in; he finished calmly past Onana as City cut the gap to Liverpool to a single point ahead of their meeting next weekend.
Image: Manchester City