The Etihad hero on the day when Erling Haaland missed the unthinkable open goal, before his ultimate redemption, Phil Foden emerged as the decisive factor in Manchester City's overwhelming dominance. They came from behind against Marcus Rashford's stunning opener for a Manchester United side that found the derby a tough task.

With the obligation to win before their visit to Anfield, in a grand duel for the Premier League lead against Liverpool, City responded with patience, gradually erasing Manchester United's presence from the field. Their resilience lasted until Foden decided.

In the battle of styles, it was clear that Pep Guardiola's City knew exactly what they were doing, while Erik ten Hag's Manchester United struggled to fit into the derby frame. Sustained by Rashford's brilliance after eight minutes. Rewarding simplicity with a spectacular goal. A long ball from Onana, received by Bruno Fernandes, a back pass, and an unstoppable 30-meter right-footed shot.

A goal that even made Manchester United dream of a favorable outcome, which lately has become rare in their matches. The confidence they had at the start of 2024 seemed buried, as they struggled in games where leadership was missing. No one stepped up. Rashford remained the lone battler, always a threat to exploit space on the counter against Guardiola's three-man defense.

City had to take risks. The title race depended on a victory before their attempt to storm Anfield. The leaders, Liverpool, had won with a last-minute goal, and a four-point gap loomed large for the upcoming matchday. With overwhelming possession (74%) and a frenetic pace, City began their quest for a comeback.

The goal caught everyone off guard. City lived in the opponent's area, constantly took corners - up to twelve in the first half - Foden honed his left foot, Stones missed his header, and Haaland failed to make a proper header. But this season, Guardiola's team's weak point is their return after losing possession. The spaces that appear in a short-handed defense. Rashford took advantage, and so did Garnacho.

City's continuous pressure forced Manchester United to retreat. Initially well-positioned, even forgiving a second goal after a slip by Rúben Dias, who was the last man, leaving Rashford with all the space to run. A poor touch and Walker's coverage were decisive. Just as crucial was Onana's firmness in the first half. He denied Foden's low shot with his right foot and snatched a one-on-one opportunity with his quick exit minutes later.

The local dominance with the ball didn't translate into dangerous chances. Dominance without determination in the final third resulted in 18 shots, barely three on target. There was even a feeling that they could have caused more damage when, once again, Rashford appeared at the far post, missing another swift action by United with a poor finish.

With less usual flair on Doku's side. With Bernardo Silva trying to bring calm to an uncontrollable game. Despite the lack of clarity in the first half, City always creates. Onana wanted to become the derby hero with a stretched save to Rodri's shot. He connected well with his right foot from Varane's poor clearance, with power and bounce on the grass that increased the merit of the goalkeeper's intervention, who, at the edge of halftime, already overwhelmed, looked up to the sky, giving thanks.

Because Haaland missed something unprecedented. Only facing an open goal, after Rodri's cross, Foden's perfect headed assist, and the left-footed shot. It was harder to send it into the stands than into the net. Manchester United narrowly escaped, as the second half felt endless for them. They were further entrenched in their territory. Without a midfielder with the personality to demand the ball and anesthetize the game.

City poured forward, and the game lasted until Onana stood tall. His last service was a stretched save to Doku's deflected shot by a defender. There was nothing he could do in response to the return of the initial stunner, when Foden feinted to his left and unleashed an unreachable rocket into the top corner. Ten Hag was booked for his complaint after Rashford's appeal for a foul at the start of the play.

He knew what was coming. With no depth on the bench, with a worse squad than the all-powerful City, who found more dynamite with Julián Álvarez's entry. United ceased to exist. It was only a matter of time. And it came after a marking error by Casemiro, who lost Foden's trail when he passed to Julián, and by the time he reacted, the derby hero had already completed his double of glory. There was still time for Haaland's redemption, after Rodri's steal in the high zone, and a first-time finish to satisfy the hunger of an insatiable scorer.