MANCHESTER — Phil Foden scored a pair of second-half goals to help Manchester City’s title push and send Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United to a blown lead with some history behind it in a 3-1 City win at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Erling Haaland scored in stoppage time to complete the score line, collecting his Premier League-best 18th goal of the season off Rodri’s second assist of the game.
[ MORE: Player ratings | Ten Hag, Bruno reaction ]
Man United took the lead through a sensational Marcus Rashford goal but lost a Premier League it led at half for the first time in nearly a decade, a run of 143 matches dating back to a 5-3 loss at Leicester early in the 2014-15 season.
The Manchester Derby always delivers drama, and City will be happy with the manner in how it took its unbeaten run to 19 games across all competitions.
[ MORE: Pep calls Foden ‘best player right now in Premier League’ ]
Despite being behind Liverpool in the table with 12 games to go, they’re stills favorites to win the title and are a single point behind the leaders.
Top four chasing Manchester United have now lost successive Premier League games after a four-match winning streak, and their 44 points are good for sixth on the Premier League table. That’s 11 points behind Aston Villa and six back of fifth-place Spurs.
Ten Hag’s good plan only half the battle versus Pep
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag showed a bit of genius with Bruno Fernandes playing in a false-nine role, and it paid off with an early goal when the ‘center forward for-a-day’ showed proper technique and instincts in setting up Marcus Rashford’s early goal.
Rashford looked free, and the under-fire forward might’ve scored a second and third goal on another day, but his touch just wasn’t there and let’s be honest City missed a pair of chances, too. And what else was missing? About half the team. Once Pep Guardiola made his adjustment with Julian Alvarez for Jeremy Doku, the game turned in a big way.
WATCH MANCHESTER CITY vs MANCHESTER UNITED FULL MATCH REPLAY
There’s just not a lot of spirit for United, who have a wealth (money-wise) of options on the bench but no one to bring off of it — especially with super sub Scott McTominay starting the game. Antony is devoid of confidence, and Sofyan Amrabat struggled as well. Ten Hag also had to put in a kid — Willy Kambwala — for Jonny Evans with 21 minutes to play.
United’s recruitment hasn’t been good enough, no, but injuries to Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire trickle down dramatically so that an Evans injury stings, too.
Man City so cool when heat’s turned up
If you wanted any further example that Manchester United’s mystique is missing right now, just think about how City just went right back to work after conceding Rashford’s amazing goal.
There was no worry for Pep Guardiola’s men, who knew that they’d only lose if they lost it themselves. City dialed up 27 shots on their 74% possession and won the xG game 3.32-0.26. Phil Foden put all four of his shot attempts on target.
City completed 500 more passes their derby rivals (728-228), and pumped eight shots on Andre Onana’s net.
What’s next?
Man City welcomes Copenhagen on Wednesday, bringing a 3-1 lead home from Denmark in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Then it’s a titanic 11:45am ET Sunday visit to Liverpool at Anfield.
Man United have about a week to prepare for a 7:30am ET Saturday visit from Everton.
How to watch Manchester City vs Manchester United live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 10:30am ET Sunday (March 3)
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Online: Premier League on Peacock
Manchester City vs Manchester United live updates, as they happened - By Joe Prince-Wright at Etihad Stadium
Manchester City vs Manchester United final score: 3-1
Goals: Foden (56', 80'), Haaland (90+1'); Rashford (8')
Haaland gets his goal - Manchester City 3-1 Manchester United (91st minute)
FODEN AGAIN Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United (80th minute)
City cranking up the pressure
Onana has gone down with an injury to try and calm things down but United are creaking here. Haaland is taken down and City have a free kick on the edge of the box but De Bruyne’s effort hits the wall. Young defender Kambwala is on for Evans as United try and see this out.
PHIL FODEN WITH A STUNNER - Manchester City 1-1 Manchester United (56th minute)
What a hit from Foden. Incredible strike after cutting inside on his left foot. Rashford and United wanted a foul before that goal. No foul there. Erik ten Hag is going crazy on the sidelines and is booked. He threw a water bottle too. City’s fans go wild!
United keeping the ball better in the second half
City have still had plenty of the ball in the early stages of the second half but United are keeping it better when they do win it back.
HALF TIME: Manchester City 0-1 Manchester United
City totally dominated that half but United lead through Rashford’s spanking effort from 25 yards out. Haaland missed a sitter and Onana is having an incredible game and United’s plan to absorb City’s pressure, get lucky and then launch counters is working a treat. For now. Surely City won’t be so wasteful in the second half, right?
De Bruyne almost forces an own goal from Varane
Sumptuous from De Bruyne as he plays it to Silva who plays a lovely back heel back to him and KDB’s cross is almost smacked into his own net by Varane but it’s out for a corner which comes to nothing.
Haaland misses from two yards out. This is not a joke.
Erling Haaland misses an open goal from 2 yards out. I repeat. Erling Haaland misses an open goal from 2 yards out. That is unbelievable. Foden heads across goal and Haaland is on his own with an empty goal in front of him but he volleys over. How was that possible? Especially for him. Guardiola can’t believe it and neither can every single City fan and player inside this stadium. Stunned silence after the shock reactions to seeing that. I’ve never seen a stadium react in such shock.
Onana with another good stop to deny Rodri
A cross is cleared to the edge of the box and Rodri’s volley is saved down low by Onana. What a game Onana is having and he needs to if United are going to get anything from this. They are 1-0 up but holding on before half time.
Rashford whiffs at the back post
Rashford with another big chance on the break. United catching City on the counter with regularity in this first half and McTominay almost gets on the end of the cross, then Rashford can’t get a clean connection on his shot as he falls over. Promising for United.
Onana with another big stop to deny Foden
Andre Onana again denies Phil Foden. Foden was clean through on the break but Onana stood tall. Manchester United’s goalkeeper coming up big today, so far.
Rashford was in after Dias slipped
Dias with a costly slip on the halfway line and Rashford is in over the top... but Kyle Walker comes from nowhere to recover and get the ball as Rashford couldn’t get it under control. Big chance for United.
Onana denies Foden
City are creating chances after that shock goal for United and Foden is free in the box but Onana saves well down low.
WHAT A GOAL FROM MARCUS RASHFORD! - Manchester City 0-1 Manchester United (8th minute)
An incredible hit from 25 yards out, off the crossbar and in. United lead in the derby. A long ball over the top found Bruno Fernandes who ran behind and he lays it off to Rashford who spanks home a stunner. City can’t believe it. What a goal. That shot had an xG value of going in of just 0.03 in case you were wondering.
Positive start from Manchester City
Attacking the end they usually attack in the second half, City have come flying out of the traps. Phil Foden goes close, then John Stones is in the box and goes down but no penalty kick is given. City’s fans are furious but Casemiro clearly got the ball. Play on!
Hello from Manchester on derby day! All signs point towards a big win for City but we know United have it in them to cause a shock in these big rivalry games. There is a lot of confidence among the City fans here with some saying “have you seen the team? We’re going to batter them!” and train conductors in the City side of Manchester mocking United and telling them to “watch the gap” as they get off the train. Banter is flowing and there is a real confidence about City heading into this game.
The team news is intriguing with City going with Doku out wide. United have Lindelof and Dalot at full back, with McTominay coming into a robust looking midfield and Rashford up top as Hojlund remains out. That United defensive unit will have to have an incredible game for the Red Devils to get anything out of this.
Manchester City lineup
Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Doku
Manchester United lineup
Onana; Lindelof, Varane, Evans, Dalot; Mainoo, Casemiro; Fernandes, McTominay, Garnacho; Rashford
Manchester City focus, team news
City’s lineup is settled and Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland vibing off each other at this stage of the season is the stuff of dreams for Pep Guardiola.
OUT: Jack Grealish (leg) | QUESTIONABLE: Josko Gvardiol (ankle)
Manchester United focus, team news
Dalot or Lindelof will be at left back as United’s defensive injuries have piled up. Rashford will start centrally with Hojlund still out. Expect United to wait for their chances on the counter.
OUT: Rasmus Hojlund (undisclosed), Mason Mount (calf), Anthony Martial (groin), Lisandro Martinez (knee), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (undisclosed), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Luke Shaw (undisclosed) | QUESTIONABLE: Harry Maguire (undisclosed)