Manchester City beat Manchester United 3-0 in the 197th Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium, ending their mini-wobble in the league as Erling Haaland struck twice after Phil Foden’s early opener. Having lost back-to-back games before the international break, Pep Guardiola’s side rediscovered their precision to move above their rivals.
The afternoon unfolded amid tributes to boxing icon Ricky Hatton, a devoted City supporter whose passing was marked before kick-off. On the pitch, Jeremy Doku repeatedly unpicked United’s shape, Gianluigi Donnarumma impressed on his City debut, and the visitors’ lack of cutting edge left them with four points from four league games.
Doku’s spark and Foden’s finish set the tone
From the outset City sought to stretch United through Doku's acceleration. In the 18th minute, Rodri's calm feed released the Belgian, whose first cross pin-balled back to him; his second was measured perfectly for local boy Foden to leap and steer a header past Altay Bayindir.