Manchester City swept aside rivals Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium, with Erling Haaland netting twice after Phil Foden’s opener to lift Pep Guardiola’s side back to winning ways in the Premier League.
City entered the derby under pressure following consecutive defeats before the international break, but their response was emphatic. On a day when the club paid tribute to lifelong fan and former world boxing champion Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46, Guardiola’s men delivered a dominant display.
Jeremy Doku was the catalyst for City’s first two goals, tormenting United’s defence with his pace and trickery. The Belgian winger carved open space before supplying the cross that Foden converted with a precise header on 18 minutes. Early in the second half, Doku again provided the assist, slipping Haaland through to outmuscle Luke Shaw and chipped the ball past Altay Bayindir in goal for Manchester United for 2–0.
Haaland, who had missed a glaring chance inside the opening seconds and later hit the post with the goal at his mercy, made amends on 68 minutes by sprinting clear from halfway and finishing clinically to seal the points.
New signing Gianluigi Donnarumma was handed his City debut following his deadline-day arrival from Paris Saint-Germain, and the Italian goalkeeper impressed with a superb full-stretch save to deny Bryan Mbeumo.
United, meanwhile, offered little attacking threat and continue to stutter in the league, sitting 14th with only one win this season. City’s victory lifts them to eighth, easing pressure and restoring momentum in their campaign.
