In 28 previous occasions in the Premier League era, we hadn’t overturned a deficit to claim all three points against United.
However, Phil Foden‘s magical brace and Erling Haaland‘s calm finish ensured we did just that at a buoyant Etihad Stadium.
The last time we fell behind and ended up winning against our rivals was the League Cup semi-final first leg in 2010.
CITY 3-1 MANCHESTER UNITED | MATCH REPORT
Sunday’s result also completed our sixth Premier League double against United and the third under Pep Guardiola.
The success means we have recovered 21 points from losing positions in the competition this term, our most ever in a Premier League season (previously 20 in 1993/94).
Total domination
United led for almost 50 minutes of football thanks to Marcus Rashford’s powerful early strike but even while we were hunting for an equaliser there was little doubting who were the better side.
City had 27 shots to United three, recording an xG of 3.33 compared to United’s 0.25.
United have only once had fewer than three attempts on goal in a Premier League match since those stats were measured in 2003.
We had 18 shots in the first half. Since 2003/04, this was the joint-most United have faced in the first half of a Premier League game.
In total we had 69 touches in United’s box, with the visitors having just nine in Ederson‘s area.
Our 736 successful passes was more than three times the 240 Erik ten Hag’s side were able to muster.
So while our neighbours may have felt like a result was within reach, the numbers point to a chasm between the two teams creatively.
Fantastic Foden
Even with all of our attacking play, it took something special to get us back on level terms.
As it so often has done this season, that came from Phil Foden.
The England’s man strike was impossible to stop and then his link up with Julian Alvarez for the second was irresistible.
This is now undoubtedly Foden‘s most productive campaign the very top end of pitch.
He has 18 goals across all competitions, surpassing his previous best of 16 in 2020/21.
When you add in his 10 assists, you see a player who has taken his game to the next level.
He also loves to play United, having scored six against them. They’re tied with Brighton for the side he has scored most against.
Only Sergio Aguero on eight has more Manchester derby goals in the Premier League for City than Foden and Haaland (who also has six).
Premier League stats this season
Erling Haaland leads the race for the Golden Boot with 18 goals. Ollie Watkins (16) and Mo Salah (15) are next.
Julian Alvarez‘s eight assists has him leading that metric for us, with Phil Foden next on seven. Pascal Gross, Ollie Watkins and Kieran Trippier lead the way on 10 each.
Ederson is tied with David Raya and Jordan Pickford on eight clean sheets each.
Rodrigo‘s 2,527 passes is the most of any player in the Premier League with Brighton’s Lewis Dunk second in 2,394.
