Foden ‘the best player in the Premier League right now’ – Guardiola

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Foden ‘the best player in the Premier League right now’ – Guardiola

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‘The plan went well’ – Ten Hag praises Man Utd despite defeat to City

Erik ten Hag insists “small margins” cost Manchester United in their 3-1 derby defeat to fierce rivals Manchester City.

Marcus Rashford’s first-half goal had given the visitors hope of victory at the Etihad Stadium, only for their dreams to be shattered by a Phil Foden brace and Erling Haaland’s late strike.

The result means United have already lost two more Premier League games this season – 11 – than they did in the entirety of the 2022/23 campaign.

But the manager saw plenty of positives in their performance.

“They gave everything,” Ten Hag said of his side to Sky Sports. “We had two players on the pitch that were not 100%, Jonny Evans and Marcus Rashford, and they gave everything, as the whole team gave everything.

“I think the performance is very good, only, of course, we are disappointed with the score.

“The togetherness but also the performance was very good. On another day, we could have won this game.

“Especially I think Rashford had some very good opportunities also to score another goal. Also [Alejandro] Garnacho had these moments. The plan went well. It was very small margins.

“All the credit to City, in how they play, and how consistent they play, but the way we defended was brilliant.”

There was some controversy over Foden’s equaliser for the hosts, which came from a rapid counter-attack.

Rashford had appeared to be through on goal at the other end, only to be nudged off the ball by Kyle Walker.

No foul was given, and City went down the other end and scored, leading to a furious reaction from Ten Hag, who was subsequently booked.

“It was soft, but you know when you are in a full sprint, and you get a little touch, then you lose the rhythm. That’s why he went down,” he said, before referencing another incident when City goalkeeper Ederson flew out of goal to tackle Garnacho inside the penalty area.

“It’s very debatable. I think there was contact and a defining moment in the game, as was also the 2-1, where the reckless action of the goalkeeper from City. They counter attacked, they scored, 2-1.”

This is the first time United have lost a top-flight game having led at half-time since September 2014.

The result means they remain in sixth place in the Premier League table after the defeat, 18 points behind their city rivals, who sit in second.

More worryingly for the club’s fans though, they have lost ground in the race for a UEFA Champions League place after wins for Aston Villa and Spurs this weekend.

They are now 11 points off the top four, but Ten Hag insists they can claw back that gap.

“From this year on, I think we’re really progressing,” he added. “You have to get some points back and then you have to win a game like today against City.

“There are still many games to play. Everyone can beat everyone, so things can quickly turn around. We have to win our games.

“Number five can also be a position for the Champions League, so we have to fight for it.”

They return to action at Old Trafford next weekend against struggling Everton, where Ten Hag’s side are at risk of losing three successive Premier League matches for the first time since December 2015.

However, Bruno Fernandes is sure there are some positives they can take from the game.

“I think the commitment from the team was there,” the captain told Sky Sports. “Obviously, they have their qualities and they hurt us when they could.

“We had our chances. Sometimes, I think we played a little bit too deep, but you know that City does that to all the teams.

“You have to know how to defend your box. I think we did that really well in the first half. We had our counters in the second half also.

“From a chance that it could be ours, they end up scoring the 1-1, and then with the qualities of their players, they got the other goals.”

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Derbyheld Foden: ManCity trotzt Haalands denkwürdigem Fehlschuss

Haaland unterläuft ein Fauxpas für die Geschichtsbücher, Rashford schießt ein Traumtor – doch City gewinnt das Manchester-Derby gegen United trotzdem hochverdient. Dank Foden bleibt Guardiolas Elf an Liverpool dran.

In Topform - und am Sonntag Derby-Matchwinner: Phil Foden.

In Topform – und am Sonntag Derby-Matchwinner: Phil Foden.

IMAGO/Pro Sports Images

Jim Ratcliffe, neuer Miteigentümer von Manchester United, hatte beim Dienstantritt als Ziel ausgegeben, Manchester City binnen drei Jahren “vom Thron zu stoßen”. Am Sonntag wurde dem Milliardär vor Augen geführt, wie groß der Abstand zwischen den Stadtrivalen derzeit ist. Im Derby feierte City unter spektakulären Umständen einen hochverdienten 3:1-Sieg – dank eines Jungen aus der Region, dessen Vater ManUnited-Fan ist.

Zwei Szenen bestimmten die erste Hälfte, in der ManCity von Beginn an in jeder Hinsicht drückend dominierte, nur nicht in der entscheidenden. Während Rashford in der Anfangsphase mit einem traumhaften 23-Meter-Schuss in den linken Torwinkel einen von wenigen gefährlichen Gegenstößen zur Führung für ManUnited nutzte (8.), verzweifelten die Gastgeber immer wieder an Onana – und an Haaland.

Ein xGoals-Wert von 0,91 reicht Haaland nicht

Der in dieser Saison schon oft kritisierte Keeper parierte gegen Foden (14./19.) und Rodri (33.) gleich dreimal stark, ManCitys Stürmer agierte vor dem Tor derweil mehrmals unglücklich, was in einem Fehlschuss gipfelte, den er in seiner Karriere wohl noch nicht erlebt hatte: Kurz vor der Pause legte Foden eine Rodri-Flanke am Fünfmeterraum per Kopf quer, doch Haaland schaffte es irgendwie, den Ball aus maximal drei Metern mit dem Fuß über das leere Tor zu lenken – der xGoals-Wert betrug 0,91 (45.). Dabei war United bislang sein Lieblingsgegner in der Premier League (drei Spiele, fünf Tore).

Premier league, 27. spieltag

Nach dem Seitenwechsel musste ManCity aber nicht mehr lange auf den hochverdienten Ausgleich warten. Foden setzte den Ball mit links aus gut 20 Metern genau in den Winkel, in den 48 Spielminuten zuvor Rashford ähnlich traumhaft getroffen hatte (56.). Danach raubten mehrere Unterbrechungen – ein Pyro-Gegenstand landete im City-Strafraum, die Trainer wechselten, Onana ließ sich behandeln – dem Meister für längere Zeit den Rhythmus, plötzlich musste sogar Ederson mit einer riskanten Grätsche gegen Garnacho retten (78.).

Foden schnürt den Doppelpack – dann trifft auch Haaland noch

Zwei Minuten später jedoch jubelte ManCity schließlich: Nach einem Doppelpass mit dem eingewechselten Alvarez überwand Foden Onana aus spitzem Winkel und schnürte den Derby-Doppelpack. Darauf fand ManUnited keine Antwort mehr. Stattdessen sorgte Haaland nach Steckpass von Rodri, der Joker Amrabat den Ball geklaut hatte, für den 3:1-Endstand – und versöhnte sich damit spät noch mit diesem Derby (90.+1).

ManCity, nun seit 19 Pflichtspielen ungeschlagen (17 Siege), geht also mit einem Punkt Rückstand ins Topspiel bei Spitzenreiter Liverpool am kommenden Sonntag (16.45 Uhr, LIVE! bei kicker). Die sechstplatzierten Red Devils dagegen brauchen ein mittelgroßes Wunder, um sich noch für die Champions League zu qualifizieren.

Manchester City v Manchester United – Premier League LIVE

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Manchester City v Manchester United – Premier League LIVE

Follow the Premier League live Football match between Manchester City and Manchester United with Eurosport. The match starts at 3:30 PM on March 3rd, 2024.

Catch the latest Manchester City and Manchester United news and find up to date Premier League standings, results, top scorers and previous winners.

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Foden steals show as City come from behind to win Manchester derby

Phil Foden grabbed a brilliant brace and Erling Haaland was also on target as Manchester City closed the gap to leaders Liverpool with a 3-1 comeback victory over neighbours Manchester United at Etihad Stadium.

The Red Devils got off to a flyer on eight minutes when Marcus Rashford thundered a sensational 25-yard strike in off the crossbar. It was a timely riposte from the England forward, who had given an interview leading into the game in which he said of his critics: “If you back me, good. If you doubt me, even better.”

City responded and were utterly dominant as they peppered the visiting goal, with only Haaland knowing how he volleyed over from three yards out on the stroke of half-time.

The pattern continued following the interval, however, and Foden dragged the champions level on 56 minutes with a rising 25-yard effort into the far corner.

United clung on desperately but were unlocked 10 minutes from time when Foden exchanged a one-two before gliding into the left side of the area and sliding a low finish beyond Andre Onana.

Haaland then rubbed salt in The Red Devils’ wounds in stoppage time to make amends for his earlier miss of the season contender.

The result sees City maintain second spot and move to within a point of Liverpool, while United stay sixth and are 11 points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa.

City will now switch focus to the second leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie at home to FC Copenhagen ahead of a crunch title clash at Liverpool next Sunday. United host Everton on Saturday.

More to follow.

City and Liverpool battle for Bayern star Musiala – Paper Round

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Man City move clear of Chelsea at top of WSL with victory over struggling Everton

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Pressure mounts on Ten Hag as Ashworth meets with Potter – Paper Round

Ashworth meets with Potter

Manchester United’s prospective sporting director Dan Ashworth has reportedly met with former Chelsea boss Graham Potter as pressure grows on Erik ten Hag.

The Sun reports that Ten Hag could be replaced by Potter in the summer, with new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe a fan.

The paper writes: “Manchester United’s incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth has met with Graham Potter as pressure grows on Erik ten Hag.

“Ex-Chelsea boss Potter is the favourite of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his assistant Sir David Brailsford to become Old Trafford boss if the new Red Devils part-owner fires Ten Hag.

“Ashworth and Potter worked closely at Brighton and it is understood the pair got together last weekend.

“SunSport revealed in December Potter was lined up to replace Ten Hag after Ratcliffe met with the 48-year-old.

“Ratcliffe is a big fan of the ex-Brighton boss and tried to get him to manage his French side Nice.”

Villa hope to keep Ramsey and Luiz

Aston Villa duo Jacob Ramsey and Douglas Luiz are attracting attention from Premier League clubs, and they could be vulnerable to bids for the players, it has been claimed.

The Daily Mail notes that with Ramsey a youth team product, any sale banked for the 22-year-old would go to the bottom line entirely as profit.

The paper reports: “Aston Villa are braced for interest in their star players this summer as the impact of spending rules bites across the league.

“Unai Emery’s men are fighting for a place in next season’s Champions League but like a number of Premier League clubs, must manage their finances carefully to stay within the competition’s spending rules.

“The points deduction for Everton and possible further penalties for the Goodison Park club and Nottingham Forest have left the division on high alert.

“Homegrown midfielder Jacob Ramsey, valued at about £50million, was a target for Newcastle during January and any fee received could be banked as pure profit for PSR (profit and sustainability) purposes as the 22-year-old is a product of the Villa academy.

“Brazil international Douglas Luiz has long been admired by Arsenal while Boubacar Kamara would have been certain to attract attention had he not sustained a serious knee injury last month, which will sideline him until the autumn.”

Guardiola advises Barca on next manager

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly instructed former club Barcelona to appoint Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi as their next coach.

The Catalans need a new manager after the announcement that incumbent Xavi would be departing the summer.

The Mirror explains: “Pep Guardiola has told Barcelona they should look to appoint Roberto De Zerbi as their next boss.

“The Nou Camp hierarchy are considering their next move after Xavi announced he would be leaving the club this summer. Barcelona look set to relinquish their La Liga crown with Real Madrid eight points clear at the top.

“De Zerbi arrived in England as an unknown quantity with Brighton seeking a replacement for Graham Potter. Quickly though their new manager began highlighting his value and he’s taken the south coast outfit into Europe for the first time.

“Barcelona are by no means the force of old, despite spending big in recent years to become a major European force once again. They’ve only won La Liga once in the past four years but do have a host of talented players, including academy graduates Pedri, Gavi and Lamine Yamal.”

Chelsea keen on Gent youngster Brown

Gent defender Archie Brown is on Chelsea’s radar, but the 21-year-old left-back is a target for a number of other clubs.

The Evening Standard names Juventus, Nice, West Ham and more clubs as potential suitors for the player this summer.

The paper reports: “Chelsea and West Ham are among the clubs monitoring £15million-rated Gent defender Archie Brown.

“The 21-year-old is considered an option as the two London clubs look to sign a left-back in the summer.

“Juventus, AC Milan, Nice and Lyon are also weighing up a move for Brown, who is set to be the subject of plenty of interest at the end of the season.

“Chelsea want cover for Ben Chilwell, as Marc Cucurella is potentially up for sale after being offered to clubs last summer.

“Ian Maatsen is available for the £35million release clause agreed in a new extended contract until 2026, when moving on loan to Dortmund in January. Lewis Hall is also expected to make his loan move to Newcastle permanent for £28m if all add-ons are met.”

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media