Premier League
Key Talking Points As Foden Inspires Derby-day Win For City –
Phil Foden’s brace inspired Manchester City’s comeback victory against local rivals Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.
Marcus Rashford had United ahead in the first half of derby day with one of the best goals of his career — but it was not enough.
Foden scored twice, including one beauty, before Erling Haaland sealed the 3-1 win.
We assess the key talking points.
Foden’s derby
In a match that Manchester City were becoming increasingly frustrated in, it was Foden’s decisiveness that clinched the three points.
Having netted a hat-trick in this fixture last season, the City’s star academy product struck brilliantly early on in the second half to drag his side level.
And his winning goal — set up by a give-and-go with Julian Alvarez — was nearly as impressive in its skill.
With England boss Gareth Southgate watching on, it sealed a key victory that will be remembered as one he individually made happen.
Remarkable Rashford
Marcus Rashford addressed his critics in an interview this week, saying: “If you back me, good. If you doubt me, even better.”
But nobody will be doubting him tonight after he opened the scoring in this match with a stunning 25-year beauty from Bruno Fernandes’ lay-off.
And though it would eventually roar back into life, the superb technique shocked the Etihad into silence.
The aesthetically-pleasing cannon off the bar into the back of the net only added to the goal’s appeal.
Haaland horror
Equally as surprising as Rashford’s wondergoal was Erling Haaland’s entrant to the list of the Premier League’s all-time worst misses.
The Norwegian has botched a few big chances over the last few weeks but none as glaring as when Phil Foden teed him up three yards out just before half-time with only a tap in required.
Somehow conspiring to send the ball up into the stands rather than into the net, Haaland could only laugh off his moment of madness.
And his laugh had not disappeared late in the second half, when he did finally score to secure the victory.
Onana, that’s my name
Though he was powerless to prevent City from eventually sweeping to victory, one continued positive from the game from United’s point of view was the performance of Andre Onana.
There has been much less noise made about the goalkeeper in recent weeks, the surest indicator that he has massively improved recently.
A series of smart saves and claimed crosses took the pressure off his defence and held City at bay for longer than they might have been.
Manager Erik ten Hag will be pleased that at least one department of his side is truly settled.
City keep pace
Liverpool will have hoped that their dramatic late victory at Nottingham Forest on Saturday might have deflated City heading into this match.
But Pep Guardiola’s side do not seem to feel pressure at this stage of the season and churned out another huge three points to keep their rivals sweating.
As much as Arsenal and Liverpool will consider themselves in with every chance of toppling the current champions, they will also wonder how exactly they shrug them off.
It all adds up to what is guaranteed to be a thrilling race for top spot.
Leicester City earned promotion back to the Premier League on Friday after nearest rivals Leeds United were beaten 4-0 by Queens Park Rangers, ensuring the Championship leaders will finish in the top two in the standings.
This means that the Super Eagles duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi, both players of Leicester City again taste action in the English Premier League next season.
The result of Leed City and QPR left second-placed Leeds’s chances of automatic promotion from the second-tier Championship hanging by a thread. They trail Leicester by four points with one game left to play and are only a point ahead of Ipswich Town, who have two games in hand.
It was a dream first half for QPR as the London side scored two goals without reply.
First Ilias Chair scored with a deflected effort from outside the area, while a curled finish from Lucas Andersen midway through the first half made it 2-0.
Leeds tried to up the pressure in the second half but with little effect, with French forward Georginio Rutter pulling a shot wide from the middle of the penalty area.
Scottish forward Lyndon Dykes and Sam Field both scored headers from set pieces in the second half to complete the 4-0 win.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke turned to his bench to try and influence the game and it was one of those substitutes, striker Mateo Joseph, who came closest, seeing his close-range attempt turned wide by Rangers keeper Asmir Begovic
-Reuters
Players must accept criticism as readily as praise at Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes said after the Portuguese midfielder rescued his side with two goals in a 4-2 home Premier League victory over Sheffield United.
Fernandes made it 2-2 from the penalty spot in the 61st minute then put United ahead with a long-range strike 20 minutes later after the hosts had fallen behind twice against the Premier League’s bottom team
United had come in for heavy criticism following Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City where they squandered a 3-0 lead before going through via a penalty shoot-out.
Fernandes told reporters that the intense demands of playing at a club like United meant winning was the only thing that mattered.
“You can be in a run of games where you win nine in a row, and when you lose one you know you’ll be criticised,” he added.
“Being at United demands winning every game, that’s part of our job. If there is anyone in the dressing room still not used to that, they will get used to it.
“Being a Manchester United player demands being ready to receive as much criticism as praise. We receive praise when we do good things so we can’t be annoyed by the criticism.”
United, who had failed to win their last four league matches, moved up to sixth with Wednesday’s win. They next host Burnley on Saturday.
-Reuters
Manchester United’s chaotic high-scoring form continued at Old Trafford as they twice came from behind to overcome spirited Sheffield United at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund struck in the final nine minutes to ensure the win.
Manchester United captain Fernandes followed up an excellent pinpoint 25-yard drive by hooking back the cross five minutes from time that allowed Hojlund to score his first goal since February.
As in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Coventry, it was a favourable outcome in the end for under-pressure manager Erik ten Hag.
But there are some staggering statistics to go with their recent results. In total, 27 goals have now been scored in their past five games. They have conceded and scored at least two in all of them.
In entertainment terms, it is sensational. However, there is zero sense of structure and it can only be wondered what new technical director Jason Wilcox made of it as he watched his first game in the Old Trafford directors’ box since his appointment was confirmed last week.
After railing against the media the day before the game, labelling coverage of the Coventry match “embarrassing” and “a disgrace”, Ten Hag’s team failed to follow up by convincing on the pitch.
Without a win since February and with only three in the league all season, Sheffield United led twice, through Jayden Bogle in the first half and Ben Brereton Diaz in the second.
The home side levelled each time, courtesy of Harry Maguire’s deft header and Fernandes’ penalty.
And Manchester United eventually claimed the points to move back into sixth spot.
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