On an afternoon that will go down in City folklore, Pep Guardiola’s side put United to the sword with a devastating display of all-round attacking football.
It was a derby day that saw Erling Haaland claim a third consecutive home Premier League hat-trick.
Meanwhile Phil Foden also claimed a hat-trick – recording his first senior treble for City – on what proved a Manchester showpiece for the ages.
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And for James – one of our special guests on Sunday’s latest edition of Matchday Live – Foden and Haaland’s exploits epitomised what was the perfect afternoon for the Club.
“You’ve got City fans playing for City, scoring hat-tricks, getting assists… it was the perfect derby daydream!” James declared.
“What can you add to that? You even forget the score line, it was extraordinary.
“You think Phil Foden gets his first hat-trick and, in a derby, and performs brilliantly.
“Yet he is not even man of the match because of Erling Haaland getting his own hat-trick and two assists!
“It was an incredible afternoon.
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“They are both 22 and are two youngsters who are buzzing off each other and they did that all afternoon long.”
Fellow Matchday Live special guest Shaun Goater was also spellbound by the pair’s magnificent contributions.
And the former City strike legend also pointed to Haaland and Foden’s special rapport with the Etihad supporters.
“They spent five minutes walking around at the end, and it’s the rapport with the fans (which is noticeable),” the Goat pointed out.
“I’ve also never experienced this situation with two players scoring a hat-trick.
“We were that awesome, there was a point where I thought ‘Wow, I feel sorry for them!’
“We were really phenomenal, just exceptional – especially in the first half.
“It was total football. The quality of pass for Haaland’s second goal, how has he seen it?! I can’t put it into words.”
