PHIL FANTASTIC
Foden inspires Man City to turnaround win over Manchester United
Manchester, England - A Phil Foden double and Erling Haaland’s stoppage-time strike earned Manchester City a 3-1 turnaround victory over Manchester United to move a point behind leaders Liverpool.
Marcus Rashford gave United a shock early lead with a thunderous long-range goal with what was the visitors’ only shot on target of the match. But Foden replied with his own long-range stunner before scoring his second with 10 minutes remaining. Haaland sealed the win, making up for a glaring miss in the first half.
Up next for City is a huge showdown at Anfield against title-rivals Liverpool on Sunday 10 March, while a second consecutive defeat leaves Man Utd 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Man City made five changes to the side that beat Luton Town in their midweek FA Cup win, with Ederson, Ruben Dias, Jeremy Doku, Rodri and Foden returning, while Josko Gvardiol was back on the bench after recovering from an ankle injury.
For Man Utd, Jonny Evans replaced the injured Harry Maguire
Marcus Rashford gave United a shock early lead with a thunderous long-range goal with what was the visitors’ only shot on target of the match. But Foden replied with his own long-range stunner
for his first start in a Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium since December 2012. Kobbie Mainoo also returned, while Sofyan Amrabat and Antony were on the bench from the side that beat Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Wednesday.
United stunned the home fans through Rashford’s sensational strike. Andre Onana’s long ball over the top found Bruno Fernandes, and the Man Utd captain laid the ball off for Rashford, who hammered a shot in off the underside of the crossbar.
It was Rashford’s fifth Manchester derby goal in the Premier League, with only Wayne Rooney, with eight, and Eric Cantona, seven, netting more for Man Utd.
It also was the 12th time Man City had fallen behind in a Premier League match this season. The only time they have done so in more under Pep Guardiola was in 2019/20 (13), the last season in which they did not win the title.
Rashford then missed two great opportunities, firstly taking a poor touch with his head when in a great position, before producing an air kick with the goal at his mercy at the back post.
At the other end, Foden was denied in a 1v1 by Onana, who also produced a fine stop to keep out Rodri’s low strike.
But Man City’s biggest chance came in the 45th minute. Foden headed the ball across goal and from just two yards out, Haaland somehow volleyed over the crossbar.
“The only thing that can make the ball go up in that situation is if you volley it,” said Michael Owen, scorer of 150 Premier League goals. “I would fling my chest at it or possibly head it. The last thing I’d want to do is volley it. You should hit it with anything that kills the speed of the ball.”
Man City had 18 shots by the break, the joint-most on record that Man Utd have faced in the first half of a Premier League match.