Manchester City 3-1 Manchester United: Phil Foden scores twice as City come from behind to win Manchester derby and keep pace with league leaders
Phil Foden kept Manchester City's Premier League title challenge on track with a superb second-half double as his team rallied to defeat Manchester United 3-1 at home on Sunday.
Marcus Rashford's eighth-minute thunderbolt put United ahead against the run of play, and it appeared that the visitors could dent City's chances of a fourth consecutive title.
But Pep Guardiola's side remained patient, dominated possession, and were eventually rewarded with Foden demonstrating how important he is now to City.
Foden arrowed a sublime effort into the top corner in the 56th minute, and the England forward finished clinically with 10 minutes remaining in normal time.
Erling Haaland, who missed a golden first-half opportunity, sealed the victory with a late strike.
City, the reigning champions with a 19-game unbeaten streak in all competitions, moved to 62 points, one behind leaders Liverpool, whom they visit next weekend.
United, who suffered their 11th league defeat this season, remain in sixth place with 44 points.
Rashford's sublime strike might have stunned lesser sides, but Erik ten Hag's United could have few complaints about City's comeback victory in a Premier League derby for the first time.
City had 74% possession and 27 shots on goal to United's three, but it was local boy Foden who turned the game around.
The 23-year-old received a standing ovation as he walked off after taking a knock in stoppage time, City fans buoyed by their team's ability to keep the pressure on Liverpool and Arsenal.
"That's my aim, to turn up in the big games," Foden, who has now matched his record of 11 league goals in a campaign, said. "This season I'm proving that."
City camped in United's half in the first few minutes, but were stunned when, on the visitors' first foray forward, Bruno Fernandes rolled a pass back into the path of Rashford, who instantly launched a 25-metre effort that crashed off the underside of the bar and into the net.
Rashford had other opportunities, too, miscontrolling after being sent clear and then failing to connect with a volley at the far post when well-positioned.
City repeatedly probed United's defence, eventually opening it up, only for Haaland to sidefoot over the bar from Foden's headed cross as halftime approached.
It was an incredible miss by such a lethal striker, but there was no panic, and the pattern continued after the break, with City trapping United in their own half.
It appeared that some magic would be required to break through United's defence, and Foden delivered.
Receiving the ball on the right, just outside the area, Foden cut inside and fired a fierce left-foot shot that was as spectacular as Rashford's.
It relieved the tension, and City continued to press, with Foden scoring in the 80th minute with a low left-foot shot across Andre Onana after being set up by Julian Alvarez.
Haaland would not be denied his goal, and he scored in stoppage time with a trademark left-foot finish to highlight the difference in class between the two teams.
On the title race, Guardiola said: "We can't control what Liverpool or Arsenal, Aston Villa or other contenders do, it is about us. We do what we have to do to win today, next Wednesday and Sunday. This team is legendary."
SportsLigue