STERLING FODEN!

MANCHESTER: Erling Haaland and Phil Foden scored hat-tricks to fire defending champion Manchester City to a rampant 6-3 thrashing of local rival Manchester United in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

City’s football was slick, incisive and ruthless in its execution as Haaland bagged his third hat-trick in eight league games and Foden netted his first Premier League treble on a humbling afternoon for United. No City player had scored a hat-trick against their bitter rival since Francis Lee in 1970 and in the space of 90 minutes, two men achieved the feat.

Foden grabbed the first goal inside eight minutes, becoming the first English City player to score in a home league derby against United since 2006, by sweeping home Bernardo Silva’s low cross. Haaland then headed his first goal in the 34th minute to put City in command.

Haaland has settled seamlessly into the Premier League and the Norwegian struck again in the 37th minute on the stretch before Foden added the fourth seven minutes later. Big-money signing Antony curled a stunning strike into the net early in the second half to give United faint hope of a remarkable comeback, but the in-form Haaland later fired home his 17th goal of an incredible season.

Foden completed his treble to finish off the perfect afternoon for an irresistible City. Aged 22 years and 127 days, the England international also became the youngest player to reach 50 goals under Pep Guardiola, surpassing Lionel Messi.

United substitute Anthony Martial added a late consolation double, including one from the penalty spot, to make the scoreline more respectable. Following the result, City (20 points) moved to within a point of leader Arsenal (21 points) at the top of the standings while a bruised United (12 points) stayed sixth.

RESULT: Manchester City 6 (P Foden 8, 44 & 72, E Haaland 34, 37 & 64) bt Manchester United 3 (Antony 56, A Martial 84 & 90(P))