He doesn’t have the name of Salah or Haaland, but Phil Foden has, if he maintains this level, many votes to be chosen ‘Player of the Year’ in the Premier League. The ‘Cityzen’ youth player took the team on his back to lead, with a double, the comeback in the derby over Manchester United (3-1). Erling Haaland gave the finishing touch to the Red Devils in the 92nd minute.
Three points that are worth gold for Pep Guardiola’s pupils, who are placed second – waiting for what Arsenal does – just one point behind Liverpool, whom they visit in seven days in a duel that is presumed to be key in the fight for the League.
United, who had eight casualties (Hojlund, Maguire, Lisandro Martínez, Mount…), came out determined to defend themselves. No secrets. However, his direct football was rewarded at 8′. Bruno Fernandes withstood a long ball from Onana with his back and gave way so that Rashford, arriving on the run, connected a ‘ground-to-air’ shell directly into Ederson’s squad. Unstoppable. Great goal.
City found themselves behind on the scoreboard for the twelfth time so far in the Premier League. It only started losing more times with Guardiola (13) in the 2019-20 Premier. YesHowever, it seemed a matter of time before the derby turned around.
Onana kept Erik ten Hag’s team on their feet. De Gea’s substitute served with his feet a point-blank shot by Foden in the 14th minute, he saved a one-on-one with Foden himself in the 19th minute and deflected, down, a volley from Rodri in the 33rd minute.
Haaland didn’t have his day either. In the 32nd minute, unmarked, a poor clearance by Casemiro headed high. In the 45th minute something never seen before arrived. Foden left it to him to push it over the line and The Norwegian finished… over the crossbar!!! It is probably the worst mistake of his career.
City’s luck changed in the second half. A good handball from Onana thwarted Doku’s first attempt in the 50th minute. I can do nothing, however, to avoid Foden’s 1-1 in the 56th minute. The youth player went inside to avoid Lindelof’s mark and He hit a left foot straight into the top corner. Nothing to envy Rashford’s great goal. To each one better.
The tie was followed by a slight amnesty. City dominated, but did not bite. To highlight, just, a shot by Walker from very far away in the 71st minute that Onana caught without problems. United did not leave their field. He claimed, however, a penalty (which was not) for a knockdown by Ederson on Garnacho in the 78th minute.
The delirium came in the 80′. Foden once again showed that, in small spaces, he is one of the best players in the world. He created a one-two with Julián Álvarez and beat Onana with a cross shot to seal the 2-1 score. He even left a run in the 89th minute to interrupt a counterattack by Antony that put the Etihad on their feet.
The history of derbies was repeating itself. Six of the last seven have ended with a celestial victory. There was the ‘little lace’ left, which was carried out by Haaland in ’92. Rodri stole Amrabat’s wallet and gave way to the Norwegian, who beat Onana with a shot to the long post.
The Etihad was ‘reckling’ among olés. Meanwhile, the hug between Guardiola and Lillo showed the importance of the victory. The Premier is getting red hot. Never better said. In seven days, Liverpool-City… with a one-point lead for the Reds.
2024-03-03 17:28:24
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