Erling Haaland and Phil Foden scored hat-tricks as Manchester City beat Manchester United 6-3 to go within a point of Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday.
Holland has scored a hat-trick in each of his last three Premier League home games and has taken his tally as a City player to 17 in 10 competitive games for the English champions.
“You can see that we pass each other. We always want to go ahead and attack,” Haaland told Sky Sports.
“That’s what I love about the team. In the end, it’s amazing. There’s nothing more to say.”
Antony’s strike and Anthony Martial’s late double ensured United escaped a record defeat in the Manchester derby as they remain in sixth place, nine points from the top.
Since losing four times within the first 45 minutes at Brentford in August, United have bounced back with four consecutive Premier League victories and hope they are headed in the right direction under Erik ten Haag.
But the Red Devils were given a rude awakening about the gulf still existing between the Manchester giants.
City could have scored more than four in a blistering first-half performance, which removed any doubts from Pep Guardiola’s men due to an inconsistent start to the season.
Within four minutes, it took two goal-line clearances from David de Gea and a fine save to deny Haaland, Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva the opening goal.
Four minutes later, City opened the floodgates when Foden took home Silva’s cross for the Manchester native’s first derby goal.
Ilke Gundogan’s free-kick hit the post and Foden widened another big opportunity before Haaland essentially made his mark on minute 34.
– Haaland’s hat-trick hall –
United were left to mourn the absence of Rafael Varane to defend a De Bruyne corner as he received treatment for an ankle injury that forced him to half-time.
Without the Frenchman, Haaland’s presence in the penalty box was no match as his header crossed the line before Tyrell Malacia’s effort.
Moments later, City demonstrated their ability to counter-attack as Jack Grealish fed De Bruyne, who perfectly selected Haaland to replace at the stretch at the back post.
Haaland then became the provider with a low cross, which Foden converted for the third time in a year to leave United 4–0 behind at half-time.
In contrast, in last season’s 5-0 loss to Liverpool at Old Trafford and last month at Brentford, there was some semblance of United’s reaction after the break.
Antony scored his second goal in the Premier League since a £82 million ($92 million) move from Ajax.
But Haaland quickly reclaimed center stage with a thumping finish to meet Sergio Gomez’s cross.
Michael Owen’s record of three hat-tricks in his first 48 appearances stood as the Premier League record for more than two decades, but Haaland needed just eight.
City were set to match a record margin of victory in the Manchester derby when Haaland set up Foden to smash home and complete his hat-trick.
This was Foden’s final involvement as he was withdrawn in a quadruple change as Guardiola could also rest De Bruyne, Gundogan and Grealish.
United took advantage of City to take their leg off the accelerator in the last 10 minutes as substitute Martial scored twice to cut the balance.
Ten Haag left Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench for the rest of the match, and his decision to give Martial a chance to impress upon his return from injury proved to be the right one.
The Frenchman counterattacked after Ederson deflected Fred’s shot and then slammed home from the penalty spot.
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