The Manchester derby ended up being a one-side affair, and even when Marcus Rashford’s devastating opener for Man United silenced the Etihad Stadium, you always felt that Man City could take things up another gear.
Pep Guardiola’s command of his squad is total, and there’s a marked difference across town where Erik ten Hag still appears to be struggling to get a consistent tune out of his players.
Never was this highlighted better than on Sunday.
Once the Cityzens went up a gear, the Red Devils weren’t able to live with them, and ten Hag’s post-match words that he thought his side were a fair match for their opponents speaks of a manager that really is out of touch with what’s in front of him.
United were well beaten and chief destroyer was England international, Phil Foden.
A rocket of a shot equalised Rashford’s own bullet, before a sleek one-two with Julian Alvarez saw the youngster grab his second and hand the hosts the advantage.
Erling Haaland’s third was the least surprising thing to happen all afternoon.
Ex-Man United star Gary Neville lauds Phil Foden
After the match, Gary Neville, chatting on his Gary Neville Podcast (h/t Sky Sports) noted that he felt that Foden was “really, really, really special” and could “get in any team in the world.”
Whilst his form is great news for City, it also bodes well for England as they look to this summer’s European Championship in Germany.