Sports Desk, Mar 4 (EFE).- Phil Foden struck twice as Manchester City came from behind to beat city rivals Manchester United 3-1 to keep their title bid in the English Premier League on track on Sunday.
Erling Haaland scored the third goal for City in the injury to atone for his unthinkable miss into an empty net at the end of the first half, as Pep Guardiola’s side came within one point of leaders Liverpool’s 63 after 27 matches.
Arsenal, who are also in the title mix with 58 points from 26 matches, watched the game with interest and must be delighted to see United take an early lead through Marcus Rashford, who, being teed up by Bruno Fernandes, hit a thunderous drive in.
Faced with the obligation to win, City had to respond and were close to the goal on a couple of occasions.
Haaland failed to keep his shot down at the end of the first half when everyone, including the goalkeeper, was already beaten.
United had not lost a game in which they led at the break since 2014, a run of 143 matches.
It had to be this game where the journey would come to an end with City dominating an overwhelming 74 percent ball possession.
City’s continuous push meant the equalizer was only a matter of time.
On 56 minutes, Foden curved a shot from outside the box into the top left corner that was beyond the reach of United goalkeeper Andre Onana.
City turned the screw after the goal to force United to camp in their own box almost permanently.
Ten minutes from regular time, Foden collected a ball from Julian Alvarez inside the box and fired past Onana with a low shot into the right corner, sending the Etihad wild.
Guardiola heaped praise on Foden.
“He lives to play football. He has always scored goals, and now he is winning games,” he said.
United fans cheered on when eight extra minutes were awarded, but it was instead City who extended their lead as Rodrigo won unexpected possession and put the ball into the path of Haaland for his latter’s 18th league goal. EFE
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