Manchester City made Old Trafford feel like their playground on Sunday, as Erling Haaland bagged a brace and Phil Foden added another in a ruthless 3-0 win over rivals Manchester United.
Foden opened the scoring in the 18th minute, nodding in after some dazzling wing play from Jeremy Doku. From there, it was the Haaland show. Fresh off scoring five goals for Norway midweek, he coolly chipped over Altay Bayindir early in the second half before outpacing Harry Maguire to slam home his second.
It could’ve been a hat-trick—he smacked the post with the goal gaping and even left Pep Guardiola prematurely celebrating before the miss brought him back down to earth.
“I’m so relieved, so happy we managed to do it all together,” Haaland said afterward. “You always want to win the derby, but you could feel it extra today.”
The result leaves City climbing into the top half, while United continue to stumble, sitting in 14th with just one win to their name. Bruno Fernandes admitted his side only had themselves to blame: “The goals could have been avoided… we wanted what City got and that’s the three points.”
There was an emotional edge to the game as well. Fans paid tribute to British boxing legend Ricky Hatton, who passed away at 46. Foden dedicated his goal to the lifelong City supporter: “I had extra motivation—it was for him, his family, and everyone suffering right now.”
Elsewhere in the Premier League
Liverpool also left it late, needing a stoppage-time penalty from Mohamed Salah to edge Burnley 1-0. Alexander Isak, the £125 million deadline-day signing from Newcastle, was left out of the squad as manager Arne Slot continues to carefully manage his fitness.
Slot hinted that fans will finally get to see their new striker on Wednesday against Atletico Madrid: “Now he will be able either Wednesday or Saturday to play 45 as a minimum, maybe more.”
The result makes it four wins from four for Liverpool—remarkably, all sealed with goals after the 80th minute. Photo by pantkiewicz, Wikimedia commons.