Foden double fires City to comeback win
PHIL Foden kept Manchester City’s Premier League title challenge bang on track with a superb second-half double as his side hit back to clinch a 3-1 home win over Manchester United yesterday.
Marcus Rashford’s eighth-minute thunderbolt gave United the lead against the run of play and it looked like the visitors might put a dent in City’s hopes of a fourth successive crown.
But Pep Guardiola’s side remained patient, dominated possession and were eventually rewarded with Foden again proving how indispensable he now is for City.
Foden arrowed a sublime effort into the top corner in the 56th minute and the England forward then produced a clinical finish with 10 minutes of normal time remaining.
Erling Haaland, who missed a golden firsthalf chance, secured the points with a late strike.
Reigning champions City, whose unbeaten run in all competitions now stands at 19, moved to 62 points, one behind leaders Liverpool who they visit next weekend.
United, who suffered their 11th league defeat of the season, remain in sixth place with 44 points.
Rashford’s bolt from the blue might have floored lesser sides but Erik ten Hag’s United could have few complaints at the way City turned things around -- coming from behind to win a Premier League derby for the first time.
City had 74% possession and 27 efforts on goal compared to United’s three but for all the global talent on display, it was local boy Foden who found the key to the lock.
The 23-year-old was given a standing ovation as he walked off after taking a knock in stoppage time -- City’s fans buoyant at keeping the pressure right on Liverpool and Arsenal.
“That’s my aim, to turn up in the big games,” Foden, who has now matched his record of 11 league goals in a campaign, said. “This season I’m proving that.”