Phil Foden double inspires Manchester City comeback as Guardiola takes Manchester derby

Phil Foden channelled his inner Stockport spirit to inspire Manchester City to a comeback win in the local derby after the champions overcame Manchester United 3-1 on Sunday.

Marcus Rashford told United fans to “back him” after receiving midweek criticism, and he provided the perfect response with a stunning 25-yard strike to stun the Etihad Stadium into silence and open the scoring.

Receiving the ball from Bruno Fernandes, Rashford used all of the power in his right leg to thump the ball towards the top corner and it crashed in off the underside of the bar, with Ederson’s dive unfortunately in vain for the Brazilian. It was a wonderful strike and one that would go down in the history books of this historic fixture for years to come.

But as United settled into a deep, low block, City’s barrage began as they peppered Andre Onana’s goal. However, the Cameroonian was in inspired form to keep out Phil Foden when the England international was put through on goal.

With the halftime whistle fast approaching, De Bruyne curled a wonderful ball to the far post and Foden’s header put the ball on a plate for Haaland. For a player who scored five times in midweek against Luton, he could score with his eyes closed.

But inexplicably, the Norwegian somehow lifted his volley over the bar from three yards out, and Rodri’s incredulous reaction summed up just how bad a miss it was, as City went into the break behind despite having 18 shots to United’s three.

A local hero is born

As many would expect, it was one-way traffic after the break with Guardiola’s words ringing in their ears. And with 56 minutes on the clock, Foden showed his class with a wonderful effort, bending a sweetly-struck 25 yard effort into the corner past Onana.

Erik ten Hag threw a bottle on the touchline, complaining to the fourth official about a foul on Rashford, but the winger had to do better under pressure.

Guardiola sent on Julian Alvarez for Jeremy Doku while Ten Hag swapped Antony for Rashford, and City continued to press for a winner.

And with only 10 minutes to go, the moment finally arrived. De Bruyne slid in Alvarez, who cleverly cut it back for Foden and from a tight angle, his low effort beat Onana to make it two for him and two for City in the derby.

With eight minutes of stoppage time added on, there was still time more goals as Sofyan Amrabat was robbed of the ball by Rodri, who slid in Haaland to take his tally to 18 for the season in the Premier League and confirm another derby defeat for United.