Breaking news: Phil Foden shared his opinion on which Man City player was at fault for Amad’s winning goal for Man Utd.
In a dramatic Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium on December 15, 2024, Manchester United overturned a 1-0 deficit to secure a 2-1 victory over Manchester City, deepening the reigning champions’ ongoing struggles.
City initially took the lead in the 36th minute when Josko Gvardiol headed in a deflected cross from Kevin De Bruyne. The match seemed to be under City’s control until the closing minutes, when a series of defensive lapses led to their downfall.
The turning point came in the 88th minute when City’s Matheus Nunes made an errant back pass that was intercepted by United’s Amad Diallo. In an attempt to recover, Nunes fouled Diallo inside the penalty area, conceding a penalty that Bruno Fernandes converted to level the score.
Barely two minutes later, United capitalized on their momentum. Lisandro Martinez delivered a lofted pass from defense, finding Diallo, who showcased exceptional skill by controlling the ball with a delicate touch that lobbed over City’s goalkeeper, Ederson, before slotting it into the net for the winning goal.
Phil Foden, who returned to City’s starting lineup after a bout of bronchitis, was visibly frustrated following the match. He was seen gesturing towards Erling Haaland, suggesting that the striker should have applied more pressure on Martinez before the decisive pass. Foden’s actions indicate his belief that a lack of defensive effort from the forward line contributed to the team’s collapse.
In his post-match interview, Foden expressed his disappointment: “Massively [disappointed] – the game was in our hands. 1-0 up we were controlling the game. We had a lot of possession. It seems to be the story at the moment. I don’t know what happens but we switch off and they score two goals. It keeps happening at the moment.”
He further emphasized the need for the team to regroup: “We have to stick together now, rebuild and go again. We’ve not been used to losing this amount of games in a short period. But sometimes you have to experience this in life, you can’t always win. When things go wrong they then seem to go worse. We have to stick together and regroup.”
This defeat marks City’s tenth loss in their last eleven matches across all competitions, a stark contrast to their dominant performances in previous seasons. Manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged the team’s current plight, stating: “All I have to do is keep working. I’m the boss, I’m the manager and I’m not good enough. It’s as simple as that. I have to find a way to talk to them, to the training pitch, to the way we have to play, how to press, how to build up. I’m not good enough, I’m not doing well. That is the truth.”
The loss leaves Manchester City in fifth place in the Premier League, one point behind Nottingham Forest and nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand. As the festive fixture period approaches, City faces mounting pressure to reverse their fortunes and rekindle the form that has seen them dominate English football in recent years.
The upcoming matches will be crucial for Guardiola and his squad as they seek to address defensive frailties and restore confidence within the team. The focus will undoubtedly be on tightening their defense and ensuring that lapses in concentration, such as those witnessed in the derby, are eradicated.
For Manchester United, this victory serves as a significant morale boost, highlighting their resilience and ability to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes. The performance of young talent Amad Diallo, who was instrumental in both goals, offers a positive outlook for the team’s attacking prospects in the remainder of the season.
