PLAYER RATINGS: England’s most exciting player Phil Foden wins it for Man City as Marcus Rashford fades away despite his stunning strike… while one £55m City star struggles to live up to his early-season form
Manchester City kept the pressure on Liverpool in the Premier League title race by closing the gap on the leaders to just one point after coming from behind to beat city rivals Manchester United 3-1 on Sunday.
It was an end-to-end match with two stunning goals, with Marcus Rashford firing the visitors ahead with a thunderous strike from around 22 yards out for his sixth goal of the season in all competitions.
United would weather City’s attacks in the first half, with Erling Haaland coming agonizingly close to an equalizer, creating a chance over the bar from yards out. Despite this, Pep Guardiola’s side would eventually get one back, with Phil Foden curling a sensational long-range effort into the top left corner of the goal after the break.
He struck back again in the 80th minute to give the hosts a 2-1 lead, before Erling Haaland scored his 17th Premier League goal of the season to move two goals clear of Ollie Watkins at the top of the competition’s top scorers list.
Mail Sport’s Jack Gaughan and Chris Wheeler bring their player ratings from Sunday’s Manchester derby.
Manchester City kept the pressure on Liverpool by moving within one point of the Premier League leaders after a 3-1 win over Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Phil Foden (right) scored twice, while Erling Haaland (left) scored in stoppage time to help seal a comeback win for Pep Guardiola’s side
Erik ten Hag’s team suffered their second defeat in a row in the Premier League, after losing 2-1 to Fulham last week
Ederson-7
There’s nothing left to save other than Marcus Rashford’s unstoppable attack. Crucial intervention when United went bankrupt at a late stage.
Kyle Walker – 7
His pace contributed to some big moments defensively. Occasionally loose on the ball when moving forward.
Kyle Walker has largely passed his defensive tests impressively and contributed well on offense
John Stones put in an excellent performance, similar to his performance in the 2023 Champions League final
Ruben Dias – 7
A few hairy moments as United went long. I calmed down as the game went on. Nice flow to midfield.
Nathan Ake – 7
Smart moments to navigate out of trouble. Bruno Fernandes played marginally onside for the opener.
Johannes Stones – 7
A real midfielder instead of a hybrid. Silk on the ball in much the same way as last year’s Champions League final.
Rodri – 8.5
Key to the final goal. A brilliant display throughout the match – a tough assignment given United’s route one counter approach.
Phil Foden – 9
Constantly the brightest spark for the champions. I won them the game. England’s most exciting player.
Rodri (left) put on a brilliant display throughout the match – a tough task given United’s counter-attacking approach
Foden scored his second goal of the match with a pinpoint strike across the goal into the bottom corner
Kevin De Bruyne – 7.5
Somewhat rushed performance on a day when City knew they had to win. Still City carried a real purpose forward.
Bernardo Silva – 8
Key role in slowing down City after the break. Everywhere: ended up playing three different positions.
Jeremy Doku – 5
Another disappointing afternoon for the winger, who is struggling to live up to his early season performances.
Erling Haaland – 7
Miss of the season contender just before half-time, but then closed out the match in stoppage time.
Substitutes
Julian Alvarez (for Doku, 59) – 7
Oscar Bobb (for Foden, 90) – N/A
Erling Haaland missed a big chance earlier in the match before striking late in stoppage time
Jeremy Doku (right) struggled to maintain his early season form during the match
Manager
Erik ten Hag – 7
Will be annoyed that his team conceded first on the break, but will be pleased with the way his team fought their way back into the game. Just before the hour mark, Alvarez was brought on for Doku, who provided the assist for Foden’s second goal.
André Onana -6.5
Denied Foden a one-one in the first half and made excellent reflex saves to also deny Rodri and Doku. None of the goals were my fault.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Had his hands full with Doku for an hour, keeping him relatively quiet before switching to left back where he struggled.
Rafael Varane -6.5
Led the defensive effort and managed to contain Haaland until stoppage time.
Andre Onana denied Foden a one-one-one in the first half and made some fine reflex saves to also deny Rodri and Doku
Victor Lindelof started at left back, but had a tough afternoon and was United’s weak link
Jonny Evans – 6
Age and a light knock were against him, but he used his experience to help United withstand almost non-stop pressure.
Victor Lindelof – 5
Playing the Swede at left back was always going to be Utd’s weak link and that was evident when he couldn’t get close enough to Foden for the equalizer.
Scott McTominay – 5
Played as an extra midfielder to try and give the back four more protection. It worked for a while, but United were fighting a losing battle.
Casemiro -6.5
So deep that he sometimes filled in as a third central defender. Made some important blocks but almost gave Haaland a goal with a poor header.
Scott McTominay played as an extra midfielder, protecting the back four, but his sweeper role became ineffective after a while
Casemiro made some important blocks, but almost gave Haaland a goal with a poor header
Kobbie Mainoo – 6
Another United man who threw himself in the way of everything City had to offer. Went off before Foden’s decisive second goal.
Marcus Rasford -6.5
Opened the scoring with a stunning goal but then missed a few chances and disappeared long before leaving.
Bruno Fernandes – 7
Played as a false nine and did well to set up the goal for Rashford. There was no lack of effort, but it was all in vain.
Alejandro Garnacho – 5
With United in the background, this was never going to be his kind of game and he struggled to get into it.
Substitutes
Amrabat (for Mainoo 82) -4.5
Antony (for Rashford 75) – 5
Kambwala (for Evans 60) -5.5
Bruno Fernandes played as a false nine and did well to set up the goal for Rashford
Alejandro Garnacho struggled to get into the game, especially with Man United on the back foot
Manager
Ten Hag – 6
He said he wanted to overload the midfield and cause ‘a bit of confusion’. It worked for a while, but the gap between these two teams is too big.