Man City vs Man United: Phil Foden nets a brace as Manchester City overturn a deficit to defeat Manchester United 3-1, following Marcus Rashford’s stunning goal.

Man City vs Man United: Manchester City staged an impressive comeback to defeat Manchester United 3-1, thanks to goals from Phil Foden (2) and Erling Haaland. Marcus Rashford’s remarkable strike initially put United in the lead, but City’s resilience turned the tide in their favor. This victory brings Pep Guardiola’s team within striking distance of Liverpool, as they now trail by just one point.

Phil Foden netted two goals in the latter half of the game, leading Manchester City to a 3-1 victory over Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium after trailing behind initially.

Marcus Rashford’s powerful long-range shot initially put Erik ten Hag’s team in the lead during the Manchester derby, while Erling Haaland’s surprising miss from a closer distance allowed United to maintain their advantage until halftime. However, they were unable to secure the win.

Foden scored an impressive goal of his own before giving City the lead with a well-placed shot. Haaland eventually found the back of the net in stoppage time, reflecting his team’s dominance and ending United’s streak of 143 Premier League games without a loss when leading at halftime.

Ten Hag could highlight a strategy that was effective for nearly an hour and some close calls that did not go his team’s way, but City ultimately deserved the win. This victory extends their unbeaten streak to 19 games and brings Pep Guardiola’s squad within one point of league leaders Liverpool, whom they will face next Sunday, live on Sky Sports at 3.45pm.

Player ratings:

Manchester City: Ederson (6), Walker (6), Stones (7), Dias (5), Ake (7), Rodri (8), De Bruyne (7), Bernardo (7), Foden (9), Doku (6), Haaland (6).

Substitutes: Alvarez (7), Bobb (n/a).

Manchester United: Onana (7), Dalot (6), Varane (7), Evans (6), Lindelof (6), Mainoo (6), Casemiro (6), McTominay (5), Fernandes (6), Rashford (7), Garnacho (5).

Substitutes: Kambwala (5), Antony (5), Amrabat (4), Forson (6).

Player of the match: Phil Foden.

The unfolding of a thrilling derby match.

Ten Hag had praised Rashford’s unstoppable potential and his stunning strike early in the game proved just that. Onana’s long ball was expertly controlled by Fernandes, who was kept onside by Ake, allowing Rashford to finish the job.

This goal served as a powerful response to Rashford’s critics and gave United a much-needed boost. Throughout the first half, City relentlessly attacked Onana’s goal, firing 18 shots.

However, Haaland’s shocking miss towards the end of the first half was a golden opportunity to equalize. Foden’s well-placed header only required a simple tap-in from close range, but Haaland somehow managed to lift the ball over the crossbar.

To level the score, something extraordinary was needed – something that would also spark controversy. Ten Hag’s frustration was evident as he angrily threw his water bottle to the ground when Rashford was not awarded a free-kick after being tugged by Walker. His anger only intensified when Foden scored moments later.

Foden’s finish matched that of his England teammate at the opposite end of the pitch. Unlike Rashford, who was substituted with the score still tied, Foden wasn’t finished for the day. After shifting to the left, he combined with Alvarez to beat Onana with a low shot to his left.

United appeared to be lacking direction and strategy, as their game plan seemed to have vanished. Despite this, there was a sense of unease when the board displayed eight minutes of added time. However, Sofyan Amrabat’s possession was quickly taken away by Rodri, who then assisted Haaland in scoring the elusive goal.

Ten Hag could highlight crucial moments, such as the incident preceding the equalizer and a passage of play before the winning goal, where Ederson made a risky challenge on Alejandro Garnacho, narrowly beating him to the ball. Nevertheless, the final result only hinted at City’s complete control, with United constantly on the defensive.

Man of the match: Phil Foden.

Kyle Walker praised Phil’s performance this season, emphasizing his exceptional quality and the high standards he sets for himself. The nickname ‘The Sniper’ reflects Phil’s ability to shoot accurately with his left foot, showcasing his composure and skill. Walker acknowledged the importance of relying on players like Phil and highlighted his dedication to practice and hard work. As a result, Phil’s goals are starting to pay off, and he is being rewarded for his efforts.

Guardiola hails Foden as one of the finest talents.

Guardiola emphasized that Foden is currently showcasing his talent as one of the top players in the Premier League this season. He highlighted Foden’s goal-scoring abilities and work ethic, noting that winning games is crucial to becoming a world-class player. Guardiola praised Foden’s performance against Bournemouth, acknowledging his potential for growth and learning from experiences on the field.

Ten Hag stands up for Manchester United’s performance.

Ten Hag expressed his admiration for the players’ efforts, stating, “The players gave their all.” Despite having two players who were not fully fit, Jonny Evans and Marcus Rashford, the team as a whole displayed great determination. He acknowledged their excellent performance but also expressed disappointment with the final score.

He emphasized the unity and fighting spirit of the team, highlighting that on another day, they could have emerged victorious. However, he acknowledged that the outcome was determined by small margins. Both Rashford and Garnacho had opportunities to score a second goal but were ultimately defeated.

During the press conference, the United boss reiterated these points, dismissing the notion that the game showcased a significant gap between the two teams. He emphasized that despite numerous injuries, they still had a chance to succeed.

He further emphasized the importance of small margins, noting that they could have secured a second goal. He emphasized that when the team is at full strength, they can compete with the best, including City, who he acknowledged as the current best team in the world.

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane praised Manchester City’s performance, acknowledging their brilliance on the pitch. He emphasized that City’s display showcased why they are champions and highlighted United’s 11 league losses, which is a concerning statistic. Keane compared the intensity of the game to boxing, stating that City relentlessly exposed United’s weaknesses.

He expressed doubts about the direction of the United team, particularly in the last 25 minutes where they struggled to keep up with City’s dominance. Keane concluded by stating that there are still lingering uncertainties surrounding both the team and the manager.

A man has been apprehended under suspicion of engaging in tragic chants.

A male individual was apprehended under suspicion of engaging in tragic chanting at the Etihad Stadium during Sunday’s Manchester derby.

According to a statement from the Greater Manchester Police, the man was taken into custody by officers after reports were received from the crowd.

Statistical breakdown of Manchester City’s victory in the derby.

Manchester City made a historic comeback to defeat Manchester United in a Premier League match for the first time ever. Prior to this victory, they had lost all 15 previous matches in which they had trailed against Man Utd in the league.

Manchester United suffered a defeat in the Premier League after leading at half-time for the first time since September 2014 against Leicester (5-3), breaking a streak of 143 unbeaten games when ahead at the break in the competition.

In the first half of the game, Man City unleashed 18 shots – the highest number Manchester United has faced since Opta started recording data in 2003-04.

Phil Foden has scored a total of 18 goals in all competitions for Man City this season, marking his highest tally in a single campaign, surpassing the 16 goals he scored in 2020-21.

Manchester United only managed three shots in this match; the second-lowest number of shots they have attempted in a single Premier League game on record (from 2003-04), with the lowest being two shots against Liverpool in April 2022.

What comes after this?

Manchester City currently have a 3-1 aggregate advantage going into their second-leg match against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League, which is scheduled for Wednesday at 8pm. Following that, all focus will shift to the upcoming game against Liverpool on Sunday, which could prove to be a pivotal moment in the title race. This match will be broadcasted live on Sky Sports, with kick off at 3.45pm.