MANCHESTER, ENGLAND — Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City returned to winning ways with a dominant victory over rivals Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium. The win provides a poignant note for the club, which paid tribute to former boxing world champion and lifelong fan Ricky Hatton, who died on Sunday aged 46.
Despite suffering back-to-back defeats before the international break, Pep Guardiola’s side appeared to have overcome any recent concerns. They took control of the match early with a goal from Phil Foden, a player who, like Haaland, has a knack for scoring against their crosstown rivals.
The opening goal came in the 18th minute, with Jeremy Doku’s quick-footed run and pull-back setting up Foden for a headed finish. The Norwegian striker then doubled City’s advantage in the 53rd minute, latching on to another Doku pass and dinking a finish past Luke Shaw and the goalkeeper.
Haaland missed a golden opportunity to score a second just after his first goal, hitting the post with an open net in front of him. However, he made amends in the 68th minute, running clear from the halfway line to net his second with an unerring finish.
Manchester City’s new goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, making his debut after a deadline-day move from Paris St-Germain, had a strong performance, making a superb save from a Bryan Mbeumo volley.
Manchester United struggled to create chances and their defeat sees them drop to 14th in the table with just one victory this season. The win for City moves them up to eighth.
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