Premier League
Key Talking Points As Foden Inspires Derby-day Win For City –
Phil Foden’s brace inspired Manchester City’s comeback victory against local rivals Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.
Marcus Rashford had United ahead in the first half of derby day with one of the best goals of his career — but it was not enough.
Foden scored twice, including one beauty, before Erling Haaland sealed the 3-1 win.
We assess the key talking points.
Foden’s derby
In a match that Manchester City were becoming increasingly frustrated in, it was Foden’s decisiveness that clinched the three points.
Having netted a hat-trick in this fixture last season, the City’s star academy product struck brilliantly early on in the second half to drag his side level.
And his winning goal — set up by a give-and-go with Julian Alvarez — was nearly as impressive in its skill.
With England boss Gareth Southgate watching on, it sealed a key victory that will be remembered as one he individually made happen.
Remarkable Rashford
Marcus Rashford addressed his critics in an interview this week, saying: “If you back me, good. If you doubt me, even better.”
But nobody will be doubting him tonight after he opened the scoring in this match with a stunning 25-year beauty from Bruno Fernandes’ lay-off.
And though it would eventually roar back into life, the superb technique shocked the Etihad into silence.
The aesthetically-pleasing cannon off the bar into the back of the net only added to the goal’s appeal.
Haaland horror
Equally as surprising as Rashford’s wondergoal was Erling Haaland’s entrant to the list of the Premier League’s all-time worst misses.
The Norwegian has botched a few big chances over the last few weeks but none as glaring as when Phil Foden teed him up three yards out just before half-time with only a tap in required.
Somehow conspiring to send the ball up into the stands rather than into the net, Haaland could only laugh off his moment of madness.
And his laugh had not disappeared late in the second half, when he did finally score to secure the victory.
Onana, that’s my name
Though he was powerless to prevent City from eventually sweeping to victory, one continued positive from the game from United’s point of view was the performance of Andre Onana.
There has been much less noise made about the goalkeeper in recent weeks, the surest indicator that he has massively improved recently.
A series of smart saves and claimed crosses took the pressure off his defence and held City at bay for longer than they might have been.
Manager Erik ten Hag will be pleased that at least one department of his side is truly settled.
City keep pace
Liverpool will have hoped that their dramatic late victory at Nottingham Forest on Saturday might have deflated City heading into this match.
But Pep Guardiola’s side do not seem to feel pressure at this stage of the season and churned out another huge three points to keep their rivals sweating.
As much as Arsenal and Liverpool will consider themselves in with every chance of toppling the current champions, they will also wonder how exactly they shrug them off.
It all adds up to what is guaranteed to be a thrilling race for top spot.
Thomas Partey, who formerly played for English Premier League soccer club Arsenal, has been charged with rape and sexual assault, London’s Metropolitan Police said on Friday.
Partey, a Ghana international, was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, with the charges relating to three women and the offences reported to have taken place between 2021 and 2022, the statement said.
Partey’s management did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
He is due to appear at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Aug. 5.
Partey, 32, was signed by Arsenal from Atletico Madrid for 50 million euros ($59 million) in October 2020 and became a key member of Arsenal’s first team.
He was first arrested in July 2022, though he was not named at the time and continued to play for Arsenal while investigations were ongoing.
-Reuters
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Five players including England forward Marcus Rashford and Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho have informed Manchester United that they wish to explore a future away from the Premier League side, a club source said on Friday.
Brazilian midfielder Antony, Dutch defender Tyrell Malacia and England international Jadon Sancho are also looking to leave the club, the source added.
Rashford, who has made more than 400 senior appearances for United, has fallen out of favour with manager Ruben Amorim, played for Aston Villa on loan while United had their worst-ever Premier League campaign, finishing 15th in the standings.
Amorim had called Rashford’s work rate into question, saying he would rather put a goalkeeper coach on the bench than a player not giving their all.
Rashford said he was feeling fitter and better since joining Villa, where he scored two goals in 10 league appearances.
United also failed to qualify for the Champions League as they lost the Europa League final 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur. Garnacho, who was a late substitute in the final, voiced his displeasure on social media after the loss.
“Up until the final, I played every round helping the team, and today I play 20 minutes, I don’t know,” he wrote in a post . “The final will influence (my decision), but the whole season, the situation of the club.”
Sancho was on loan at Chelsea, where he made 31 league appearances last season. Antony, who joined United from Ajax Amsterdam in 2022 for a reported initial transfer fee of more than $100 million, scored five goals in 17 LaLiga appearances on loan at Real Betis.
Malacia joined Dutch side PSV Eindhoven on loan in February.
-Reuters
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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes turned down the opportunity to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in order to keep playing “at the highest level”, he said on Tuesday.
The Portuguese midfielder admitted that he had considered the move, which media reports said was worth four times his current salary, after being contacted by Al-Hilal’s president.
“There was that possibility, the president of Al-Hilal called me a month ago to ask me about it,” Fernandes, who is preparing to face Germany with Portugal, told reporters on Tuesday.
“It was a big offer, very ambitious. There was a waiting period for me to think about the future.”
Fernandes ultimately decided to stay at United and said he was motivated by his desire to continue playing at the top level and encouraged by his family and the club’s coach Ruben Amorim.
“I would be willing to do it if Manchester United thought so,” Fernandes added. “I spoke to the coach Ruben Amorim who really tried to talk me out of it. The club said they would not be willing to sell me, only if I wanted to leave.
“I spoke to my wife and family, and she asked me what my personal goals were in my career.
“It would have been easy to move there but I want to keep myself at the highest level, playing in the big competitions and I feel capable of it. I am happy with my decision.”
The 30-year-old Fernandes scored 19 goals and provided 19 assists in 57 appearances across all competitions for United last season, winning the club’s Player of the Year award for the fourth time.
However, it was a season to forget for the team, as they finished 15th in the Premier League, their lowest league finish in half a century, and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
-Reuters
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