Ruthless and restored: Haaland and Foden reignite City in the derby

Manchester City ended their mini-wobble with a commanding 3-0 win over Manchester United, inspired by Erling Haaland’s second-half double after Phil Foden’s first-half header. It was the emphatic response Pep Guardiola demanded after back-to-back defeats before the international break, delivered in the 197th meeting of the rivals.

On a day the Etihad mourned Ricky Hatton, the team he loved offered control and incision. Jeremy Doku ripped through the visitors for the opener and the key second, Gianluigi Donnarumma shone on his City debut, and the champions-in-waiting feel a step closer to themselves as the crowd broke into the Poznan.

Doku’s dazzle, Foden’s dedication

Rodri eased a pass to Doku and the Belgian did the rest, slaloming past Luke Shaw and, after his initial delivery was repelled, floating a second cross that Foden guided beyond Altay Bayindir on 18 minutes. It set the tone for a display built on width, pace and assured decisions in the final third.

Foden, making his first start of the season after working on fitness during the break, played with silken assurance both deep and on the last line. After full time he dedicated the win to Hatton, a poignant nod on a day when the stadium’s emotions framed the football.

Haaland urges, then executes

‘Get our asses going,’ was Haaland’s rallying cry—and he led by example. He ran narrowly wide inside 10 seconds and, after the interval, exploited Doku’s latest burst to latch on, hold off Shaw and dink a sumptuous 53rd‑minute finish. The only surprise was the miss that followed as he rounded Bayindir but nudged against the post with the goal unguarded.

Order was restored on 68 minutes when Bernardo Silva threaded the definitive pass and Haaland, striding clear from halfway, paused and picked his spot with the ice-cool precision that defines him. He left to a raucous ovation on 88 minutes, his league tally up to five in four and 90 in 101 Premier League matches.

Debut authority and midfield control

Guardiola’s bold selection—installing deadline-day arrival Donnarumma—paid off instantly. The Italy captain sprang right to foil Benjamin Sesko early, stood tall to shut down the Slovenian when sent through, and clawed away Bryan Mbeumo’s ferocious volley. Presence and shot-stopping alike steadied City whenever United threatened.

Around him, the spine clicked. Rodri was metronomic in traffic, Rúben Dias relished duels, and City’s supporting cast kept United stretched. Bayindir’s saves from Tijjani Reijnders and a deft Haaland flick denied a heavier score, while a late Reijnders break drifted wide with Guardiola already satisfied.

Statement made, focus forward

This was City’s sixth win in the last nine league derbies and a reminder that even an iteration still seeking full fluency has a formidable ceiling. Doku’s directness, Foden’s timing and Haaland’s finishing stitched together the clarity that had briefly deserted them.

The table begins to tilt back their way—six points from four, above United—and Europe beckons next as Serie A champions Napoli arrive on Thursday. Reset achieved; rhythm returning.