Manchester City 3-1 Manchester United: Rashford’s rocket, Foden the goalscorer

Manchester City needed to win Sunday’s derby to keep the pressure on Liverpool and Arsenal at the top of the Premier League. For Manchester United, it was more about local pride, particularly after a 6-3 defeat in this fixture last season.

We know what to expect from these games these days. City will have lots of the ball and plenty of shots, while United will attempt to hit their neighbours on the break. The first half was exactly that. Marcus Rashford scored one of the goals of the season (0.03 xG), Erling Haaland then produced one of the misses of the season (0.89). Pep Guardiola’s side had 18 shots before the break. United had just two.

City finally scored on 56 minutes thanks to a Phil Foden goal that was as impressive as Rashford’s. That was his 17th of the season. His 18th arrived with 10 minutes of the game remaining, wrapping up a derby of great goals and possibly even greater significance given how tight it remains at the top of the table. Haaland then added some gloss to the scoreline (and made up for his first-half miss) with a third in stoppage time.

Here, our writers break down the key moments from today’s game.

How much did injury impact Marcus Rashford’s performance?

Rashford’s wonder strike was all the more remarkable given he has been struggling with injury since the Nottingham Forest game. Rashford got sandwiched in between two Forest defenders when running into the box during the FA Cup tie on Wednesday and took a jab to his ribs, then jammed his hip on the fall.

Rashford was able to train each session ahead of the derby but required attention from club doctor Gary O’Driscoll. Before the game at the Etihad, Rashford’s column for Players Tribune urged fans to understand his commitment to United and his incredible hit eight minutes in was an explosive affirmation of that statement. His impassioned celebration in front of the delirious away end further showed his passion.

Rashford offered a real threat on the break, but he was not perfect, failing to get the ball under control when clear in the first half with Kyle Walker in pursuit and then miscuing his shot in the box from a Bruno Fernandes cross.

Rashford did not look fully right, though. About 25 minutes in, he signalled to the bench for support, looking in some discomfort. O’Driscoll emerged and waited by the touchline for the rest of the half, but Rashford did not require treatment.

In the second half, he was outstripped for speed in a couple of races with Walker, including the duel that Erik ten Hag was adamant should have resulted in a United free kick. City went up the other end and scored through Foden.

A sign Rashford was not fully fit came when he was substituted for Antony on 75 minutes.

Rashford opens the scoring (Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Laurie Whitwell

Is Phil Foden now a proper goalscorer?

Three years ago, Guardiola was asked how many goals Foden can score if he improves his composure. “A lot,” he replied. “Sometimes the…