PHIL-GOOD FACTOR
Foden turns on the style with a world-class display to decide derby and sink Ten Hag’s ragged Reds
AHEAD of this derby, Phil Foden played down Pep Guardiola’s claim he is a world-class player.
But after the Manchester City ace single-handedly inspired his side’s stunning comeback to keep them within a point of leaders Liverpool, there can be no denying his world-class status.
While Marcus Rashford opened the scoring with a majestic long-range strike then disappeared in the game, Foden set about hauling City back into it, his two goals underpinned by a relentless work ethic.
With a minute of normal time left and City leading 2-1, Foden sprinted back 50 yards to dispossess United substitute Antony, his hunger and desire earning deserved acclaim from Guardiola (left) and City’s fans.
City’s win sets up a monumental showdown with Jurgen Klopp’s side at Anfield on Sunday – one which could ultimately have a huge bearing on the outcome of this season’s title race. As for United, an 11th
Premier League defeat has left them 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, their hopes of Champions League football seemingly now gone.
Yet it was the Red Devils who took the lead after eight minutes, Rashford scoring with a stunning strike from 25 yards.
A long goal-kick from Andre Onana was met by Bruno Fernandes, who held the ball up under pressure from City centre-back Ruben Dias.
Fernandes held off Dias long enough to lay the ball off to Rashford, who unleashed an unstoppable shot, which went in off the underside of the bar.
The England international could have had a second eight minutes later, when a slip from Dias allowed Fernandes to put him through on goal, with only Ederson to beat.
But a poor headed first touch saw Rashford lose control of the ball and afforded Kyle Walker the time to get back to clear the danger.
United’s game-plan was evident from the start – soak up the inevitable pressure City would put them under and look
to hit them on the break, a policy they doubled down on once ahead.
City laid siege to the United goal in search of an equaliser, Kevin De Bruyne finding Foden in the 19th minute, only for Onana to block the goalbound effort.
United’s £47million keeper has endured a difficult first season at the club, but thwarted City with a series of fine saves throughout the first half.
City should have drawn level in the final minute of the first half, Rodri finding Foden, who headed the ball back into the six-yard box for Erling Haaland.
Why Haaland did not choose to head the ball into the net, only he knows, but the striker tried to steer it in with his left foot and blazed it over the bar.
City levelled in the 56th minute, Foden cutting inside onto his left foot, before curling an unstoppable shot past Onana, who was finally beaten.
Seconds earlier, at the other end, Rashford went down under pressure from Walker. Ten Hag was furious with the failure to award a foul, as City equalised in the next passage of play.
Foden put City ahead with 10 minutes left, slotting the ball past Onana after exchanging passes with Julian Alvarez, for his 18th goal of the season.
And Haaland put the gloss on the win with a third in added time, after sub Sofyan Amrabat was caught in possession.
The Norwegian’s late strike completed a miserable afternoon for United, while City march on towards an unprecedented fourth straight Premier League title.