Phil Foden Sent Off as Haaland Gives 10-Man Man City Derby Lead
Erling Haaland put 10-man Manchester City ahead in the 60th minute of Sunday’s Manchester derby after Phil Foden had been sent off early in the Premier League clash.
City reduced to 10 men
Foden was shown a straight red card by referee Michael Oliver after 23 minutes following an altercation with Bruno Fernandes near the touchline.
Fernandes had brought Foden down during a physical contest. While on the ground, Foden reacted by kicking towards the Portuguese midfielder’s midriff, with Fernandes going down in pain.
VAR reviewed the incident and upheld Oliver’s dismissal. Foden became only the second City player to be sent off in a Premier League Manchester derby, following Bernardo Corradi in 2006.
Key derby moments
- 23rd minute: Foden dismissed for violent conduct after his reaction to Fernandes.
- VAR checked the challenge and confirmed the straight red.
- 60th minute: Haaland gave City the lead despite their numerical disadvantage.
- Foden is expected to receive a standard three-match ban for violent conduct.
Rooney and Neville split over decision
Wayne Rooney believed the punishment was excessive, arguing that Foden’s movement was closer to a flick or gesture than a genuine kick.
Gary Neville took a harder line on Foden’s reaction, describing it as a petulant kick towards Fernandes’ stomach and saying the City player was unlikely to escape a red card.
Neville also felt Fernandes should have been booked for his role in the confrontation, suggesting the United midfielder’s challenge on the grounded Foden had provoked the retaliation.
What happens next
City showed resilience to stay in the contest before Haaland struck, but Foden now faces the prospect of missing three matches.
Enzo Maresca may need to reshuffle his attacking options during an important upcoming fixture run if the expected suspension is confirmed.
