Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both scored hat-tricks in a 6-3 thrashing of Manchester United on derby day. They recorded one of the biggest ever victories over their rivals.
The champions thrashed their opponents 4-0 in the first half, with Foden scoring twice either side of Haaland’s own brace, giving them a cruel and ruthless 4-0 lead at the break.
When Man City’s unrelenting first-half pace had slowed, Antony pulled one back for Erik ten Hag’s side 11 minutes after the restart, but any dreams of a miraculous recovery were dashed eight minutes later when Haaland completed his hat-trick.
The NorwayΒ international maintained his exceptional, record-breaking start to life in the Premier League by becoming the first player in the competition’s history to score hat-tricks in three consecutive home games, and only the third Man City player to ever score a trifecta in the Manchester derby.
However, after only two in more than 130 years of this rivalry, a second arrived in the space of 10 minutes on the day as Foden assured that he, too, would go home with a matchball.
Postponements due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II meant that Manchester United played in the Premier League for the first time in four weeks, but the break appeared to have done them little good as their four-game winning streak was quickly erased by four first-half goals without reply.
Even before Foden broke the deadlock after eight minutes, Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Bernardo Silva were all denied within seconds of each other in a triple-chance.
Foden’s first goal was a spectacular finish in which he lifted Bernardo’s cross into the top corner at the near post, and Man City showed no signs of slowing down as they swarmed all over their rivals.
Ilkay Gundogan’s free kick hit the outside of the post, while Foden, Jack Grealish, and De Bruyne all came close before Man City’s domination on the pitch was eventually reflected on the scoreboard.
Despite Tyrell Malacia’s best attempts, Haaland got his typical goal on his derby debut, capitalising on being marked by Christian Eriksen to plant a header from De Bruyne’s corner over the line.
Another goal for Erling Haaland! π₯π³ pic.twitter.com/ThC0720bsD
β Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 2, 2022
Just three minutes later, De Bruyne’s defence-splitting through-ball was met with another ruthless first-time Haaland finish.
Just before halftime, Haaland provided a similarly exquisite pass for Foden’s 50th goal for Man City, closing off a sequence of three goals in 10 minutes to add the misery on Man United, who also lost Raphael Varane to injury during that period.
At the halftime break, visiting fans were seen trickling out of the Etihad Stadium, albeit an otherwise flawless first 45 minutes for Man City was marred by Kyle Walker’s injury.
Luke Shaw came in at halftime and nearly immediately set up Foden with a chance to complete his hat-trick sooner, but the hosts did take their foot off the gas in the second half, much to Pep Guardiola’s chagrin on the sidelines.
However, Man United’s first goal came out of nowhere when Antony curled home from close range to make it two goals in two league games since his arrival – a pitiful consolation for the away fans who had lingered for the second half.
“So you’re saying there’s a chance…” π
Antony pulls one back for Man United with πππππππππ strike! π§π·π΄ pic.twitter.com/OuCNpkIi4Z
β Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 2, 2022
Man City’s cutting edge was soon on display again, and no one in world football is more vicious than Haaland, who sealed his hat-trick with his third one-touch finish of the afternoon.
However this time, Foden joined him in grabbing a hat-trick, smashing another Haaland pass beyond David de Gea.
While statisticians were looking through the history books for the biggest-ever derby triumph, Man United fought back with two goals late on, the second from the penalty spot after Joao Cancelo took him down inside the box.
Even a Martial brace in a derby game at the Etihad will be a footnote in the story of this match, with Haaland once again stealing the show, having a direct role in five of Man City’s six goals.
Guardiola’s team becomes only the third in Premier League history to have two separate hat-trick scorers in the same game, and the win brings them back within one point of early league leaders Arsenal.
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