MAN CITY 3, MAN UTD 1
Phil Foden, known affectionately as Stockport’s Andres Iniesta, was Manchester City’s derby hero.
The mercurial Foden scored two fabulous goals as City came from behind to triumph against their Mancunian rivals.
And how long will it be before Iniesta is described as Spain’s Phil Foden if he continues to develop and prosper as he is doing.
Foden is enjoying the best season of his career with a best-ever 18 goals and 10 assists in front of watching England manager Gareth Southgate.
United had taken an early lead through Marcus Rashford and their game plan was to pack their defence and try to hold on to their advantage.
Once Foden equalised early in the second half, City went on to triumph in a one-sided clash as they enjoyed 74 per cent possession and had 27 goal attempts to the Reds’ two.
This was also the first time City had come from behind to beat United in a Premier League match.
Erling Haaland also found the net as City won three consecutive home league derbies for the first time since 1955 as Pep Guardiola has won 12 out of 21 derbies since taking charge in 2016.
While there was joyous celebrations in the blue half of Manchester, it was a disappointing day for United.
This was not supposed to happen as United were unbeaten in 143 Premier League games since 2014 when leading at half-time.
United had now lost 11 of their 27 league games and, in the two seasons they lost 12, each time their manager was sacked which is ominous for Erik ten Hag’s future.
United’s manager said: “I think it was a good performance overall, we went 1-0 up and we had our moments after it to score the second one.
Embed from Getty Images“We defended very well and there were two defining moments when we nearly made a breakthrough and conceded the first goal.
“Then you are disappointed, we have to accept it and still were had the opportunities to at least get one point, but the win was also possible.”
Ten Hag also commented on Kyle Walker’s challenge on Rashford in the build up to City’s opening goal.
“I looked back and asked Rashy [Rashford] if there was contact, maybe soft but there was contact,” he said.
And of United being 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and Champions League hopes fading, ten Hag said: “This year we are really progressing, and you have to get some points back. Everyone can beat everyone, and things can quickly turn around.
“Number five [fifth position in the league] can also be a position for Champions League so we have to fight for it!”
Ten Hag also spoke of the chasm between the two sides.
“Don’t forget at this time City are the best team in the world,” he said.
Guardiola praised Foden, describing him as a world-class player: “It is the amount of games he is playing. He was always a talented player but now he is more mature and understands more the game, especially defensively.
“He can play middle, right, make moments and cut inside, play in the left, scoring from the left. What can I say? He is the best player in the Premier League right now for the amount of things he does. Unbelievable.”
Looking back on the game Guardiola said: “Not winning would not be good but we matched the result with the performance, and it is really good.
“We started really well but after seven minutes and the first long ball we were not in the correct line. We were a little more anxious in the first half in the final third but yeah it was a really good game.
“They are a team built for the transitions and they can kill you in them. That is why you have to not lose that. If we attack not in a good position, they can make good transitions and score a second goal and make it more difficult.”
On City’s title challenge, Guardiola said: “It is about us. We can’t control what Liverpool or Arsenal, Aston Villa or other contenders do, it is about us. We do what we have to do to win today, next Wednesday and Sunday. This team is legendary.
“Will we do it? I don’t know. We have today more points at this stage than last season. The difference is Liverpool have I don’t know how many more points than this stage last season.
“When the opponent is behaving like this, what can I say, congratulations so far. We will continue to try game by game.”
Jack Grealish missed out for City with a groin injury that could keep him out for a month.
It was one of five changes to Guardiola’s team from the side that beat Luton in the FA Cup on Tuesday.
Ederson, Ruben Dias, Jeremy Doku, Rodri and Phil Foden returned with Josko Gvardiol back on the bench after recovering from an ankle injury.
Veteran defender Jonny Evans started for United as Harry Maguire remained sidelined with a knee problem.
Youngster Kobbie Mainoo also returned with Sofyan Amrabat and Antony on the bench from the side that won in the FA Cup on Wednesday.
United snatched an eight-minute lead despite City enjoying 89 per cent possession.
It was route one as keeper Andre Onana launched a massive clearance downfield to Bruno Fernandes who held up the ball and laid off a pass to Rashford whose drive from 25 yards flew in off the underside of the crossbar.
It was Rashford’s sixth goal of the season, and it silenced the home fans with the visitors jubilant.
This was also the 12th time this season City have fallen behind in a game and only once in Guardiola’s reign has there been more, 13 in 2019/20 when Liverpool won the title.
City looked for a leveller and Foden twice went close, each time denied by Onana, but were struggling to find a way through United’s massed defensive ranks.
Onana pulled off a decent diving save to turn away Rodri’s goalbound drive from just inside the box.
Erling Haaland missed an absolute sitter in the 45th minute.
Foden headed Rodri’s cross back across the face of goal and the Norwegian volleyed over from three yards with the goal at his mercy as he was left holding his head in his hands.
City’s pressure finally told as they equalised in the 57th minute with a 20-yard screamer from Foden into the top corner after drifting past Victor Lindelof for his 17th goal of the season.
Ten Hag was furious and was booked for throwing a water bottle as the Reds were convinced Rashford had been fouled at the opposite end of the pitch before City broke clear to score.
City made the first change of the match, Doku replaced by Julian Alvarez, just short of the hour. It was soon followed by United withdrawing Evans as Willy Kambwala was introduced while Rashford made way for Antony.
City completed their comeback in the 80th minute when Foden struck again. He exchanged passes with Alvarez before firing home an angled shot.
United then made a further double change as Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho were replaced by Omari Forson and Sofyan Amrabat.
City sealed victory when Haaland made it 3-1 in the first of eight added minutes.
The Reds were caught playing the ball out from the back as Amrabat lost possession to Rodri who set up the Norwegian who slotted a shot low past Onana for his 28th goal of the campaign.
Foden went off to a standing ovation in the 96th minute to be replaced by Oscar Bobb.