City trounce United to win the derby.

Manchester city stamped their authority at the Etihad as they beat rivals Manchester United 3- 1 in their premier league derby duel. Marcus Rashford scored from range with a thumping strike off a lovely weighted pass from Bruno Fernandes to draw first blood in the eighth minute of the game.

City who controlled the game from the start enjoyed a majority of possession in the first half with a 70% average through out the first half. Goalkeeper Andre Onana looked sharp between the posts as denying Foden a chance to equalise the game in the 19^th minute and intercepting a couple of crosses from City’s corners.

United’s defensive partnership between Raphael Varane and Johnny Evans seemed to give Pep Guardiola’s side trouble breaking down in the first half with Erling Haaland barely getting any clear-cut chances on goal. His best chance in the first period came just minutes to the final whistle when the marksman missed an open chance off a headed pass from Phil Foden right in front of goal. The visitors went in to the break with the lead and the odds highly stacked in their favor.

Heading into the derby a quarter of all home defeats against Pep Guardiola had come from Manchester united. However coming in off the break United seemed poised to hold off City before a sublime strike from Foden in the 56^th minute assisted by Rodri brought the hosts back into the game.

United manager Erik Ten Hag was booked on a yellow card for his conduct after the referee Andy Madley failed to give Manchester United a free-kick for what he felt was a clear foul on Marcus Rashford by Kyle Walker.

Phil Foden- who has only scored more Premier League goals against Brighton (six) than Manchester United (five)- brought his total goal tally this season to 18 goals after some clever link up play with Julian Alvarez to make the score 2-1 in the 80^th minute. Erling Haaland who was having a rather dismal performance hit the mark in added time to capitalize on a clumsy error by Casemiro at the edge of the box to seal the win.

Manchester City now move to second place in the Premier League table and just a single point behind league leaders Liverpool, who they take on next week. Arsenal who have won all their last three matches face Sheffield United who are currently at the bottom of the league and need a win to stay firmly in the title race.

A lot is currently at stake for City as the club looks to set new records in the premier league. Before this match City had never comeback from behind in a derby match to win the game since 1972. If they win the premier league this year, city will become the first club in English Premier League history to win the cup four consecutive times.