MANCHESTER (Reuters) – Phil Foden beat Manchester United 3-1 at home on Sunday as Manchester City fought back with a superb second-half double to keep their quest for the Premier League title on track. .
Marcus Rashford's eighth-minute thunderbolt put United ahead in the dying minutes and it looked like the visitors might put a damper on City's hopes of winning a fourth successive title.
But Josep Guardiola's side patiently dominated possession and Foden was rewarded in the end, proving once again how essential he is to City now.
Foden curled a superb shot into the top corner in the 56th minute, and the England forward produced a fine finish with 10 minutes remaining in normal time.
Erling Haaland, who missed a golden chance in the first half, secured the victory with an attack in the closing stages.
Current champions City, who have now extended their unbeaten record in all competitions to 19, now have 62 points, leaving them one behind leaders Liverpool, who will visit next weekend.
United, who suffered their 11th league defeat this season, remain in sixth place with 44 points.
Rashford's out-of-the-blue strike may have crushed a lower-ranked team, but Erik ten Hag's United should have had little complaint as City came back to claim their first Premier League derby win.
City had 74% of possession and 27 goals scored compared to United's three sides, but it was local boy Foden who found the key in a sea of world-class talent.
The 23-year-old was given a standing ovation when he was sent off after a knock in stoppage time. City fans were in good spirits to keep the pressure on Liverpool and Arsenal.
“That's my goal, to perform in the big games,” Foden said. Foden equals the record for league goals this season with 11. “This season has proven that.”
City were in United's half in the opening minutes, but the visitors' first attack saw forward Bruno Fernandes roll a pass back into the path of Rashford, who immediately fired home a 25-metre shot. However, it hit the underside of the bar and crashed into the goal. Net.
Rashford had other chances, but he miscontrolled the ball after being cleared shortly after, and then failed to volley home at the far post when he was well positioned.
City continued to probe United's defence, and in the end Haaland managed to cross-foot Foden's headed cross just wide enough to widen the defense as half-time approached.
It was an incredible mistake from such a deadly striker, but there was no panic, and City's pattern of forcing United into their own half continued after the break.
It looked like magic might be needed to break through United's resistance, but Foden provided it.
Foden received the ball on the right just outside the area, darted inside and fired a powerful left-footed shot that was as good as Rashford's.
This eased the tension and City continued to press and took the lead in the 80th minute when Foden received a pass from Julian Alvarez and fired a low left-footed shot past Andre Onana.
Haaland was not denied his goal and scored with his trademark left foot in second half stoppage time, underscoring the difference in class between the two sides.
Regarding the title race, Guardiola said: “We can't control what Liverpool, Arsenal, Aston Villa and the other favorites do. That's our problem. We'll do what we have to do to win. This team is legendary.”
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Toby Davis)