Manchester City swept aside Manchester United with a commanding 3-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, as Erling Haaland once again proved the difference in a fixture that has increasingly become his stage.
Phil Foden opened the scoring in the 18th minute, heading home Jeremy Doku’s precise cross after the winger’s persistence tore through United’s defence.
From there, City took control, with Haaland striking twice after the break to seal a result that rarely looked in doubt.
The Norwegian, fresh from a five-goal haul for Norway in midweek, showed his trademark composure in the 53rd minute, lifting the ball over Altay Bayindir following another clever pass from Doku.
His second came just 15 minutes later, capitalising on Harry Maguire’s misplaced touch before racing clear to slot past Bayindir for his eighth Manchester derby goal already matching the tallies of legends Wayne Rooney and Sergio Agüero in this fixture.
United, meanwhile, struggled to create meaningful chances. Bruno Fernandes admitted afterwards that the goals conceded were “avoidable,” but City’s dominance in both boxes left the visitors chasing shadows for much of the afternoon.
The win lifted Pep Guardiola’s side to eighth in the table, while United languish in 14th, their early-season struggles showing little sign of easing. For City, though, Haaland and Foden’s derby double act continues to deliver.