LONDON: Manchester City may be seething after their surprise exit from the Carabao Cup this week, with the team missing out on a semifinal date with Newcastle following their 2-0 defeat at Southampton.
But they have the perfect opportunity to lift the mood on Saturday in the 189th derby against neighbors Manchester United. When the two sides last met at the Etihad in October, the 6-3 scoreline saw City end up as convincing winners, with only two late Anthony Martial goals sparing United further embarrassment.
Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both claimed hat-tricks — only the third time that two players from the same team had both claimed three goals each in a Premier League match.
For striker Haaland, it was also an historic third treble haul in successive home games after three against both Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.