Gary Neville picked out Victor Lindelof for criticism after Phil Foden’s stunning equaliser in Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Manchester United, claiming the defender ‘didn’t do enough’ in the build-up to the goal.
City, last year’s treble winners, came from behind to secure victory in the 192nd Manchester derby, with an inspired Foden scoring twice and Erling Haaland adding a third to send the hosts to within a point of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Marcus Rashford broke the deadlock with a long-range piledriver for the visitors after only eight minutes at the Etihad, sending United’s away support into raptures behind the goal.
The Red Devils managed to keep their noisy neighbours at bay for the remainder of the first half and Haaland somehow missed the target from near point-blank range to keep the scoreline goalless at the break.
But local lad Foden, in superb form of late, pulled Pep Guardiola’s champions level with a thunderous effort into the same corner that Rashford had found earlier on in the derby.
Lindelof, filling in at left-back in the absence of Luke Shaw, failed to get near Foden after Rodri’s found his team-mate from the centre of the pitch and the Sweden defender was duly punished.
‘We’ve seen two special goals and that end of the pitch,’ former United and England right-back Neville said on Sky Sports’ commentary of Foden’s emphatic leveller.
‘Manchester United are asking for a foul on Rashford. Lindelof doesn’t do enough.
‘He allows Foden to come inside but he doesn’t expect him is going to ram it into the top corner.
Erik ten Hag appealed for a foul on Rashford in the lead-up to Foden’s first strike but Neville felt referee Andy Madley was right to allow play to continue.
‘The power, the accuracy is incredible from Foden’s left book. Ten Hag is complaining and getting booked,’ he added.
‘There was nothing in that.’
Foden notched his second of the game in the 80th minute, combining brilliantly with Julian Alvarez before beating Andre Onana with an exquisite finish to take the roof off the Etihad.
‘For me, the England team should be built around him. He is special,’ Neville said after the attacking midfielder completed his brace.’
After putting five goals past Luton in midweek, Haaland put City out of sight in the 91st minute as he capitalised on a mistake from Sofyan Amrabat to ensure Guardiola’s men completed the double over their rivals.
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