Manchester City have produced an historic 6-3 hammering of local rivals Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon - the highest-scoring Manchester derby of all time.
Both Erling Braut Haaland and Phil Foden helped themselves to hat-tricks on a memorable day for the hosts as they recorded one of the greatest ever victories over their neighbours.
The champions blew their visitors away inside the first half as Foden scored twice either side of Haaland's own brace, taking a brutal and ruthless 4-0 lead into half time.
Antony pulled a goal back for Erik ten Hag's side 11 minutes after the restart, when Man City had dropped off from their relentless first-half pace, but any hopes of a remarkable comeback were extinguished eight minutes later when Haaland completed his hat-trick.
The Norway international continued his unprecedented, record-breaking start to life in the Premier League by becoming the first player in the competition's history to score hat-tricks in three successive home games, and only the third Man City player to ever net a treble in the Manchester derby.
However, after there only being two in more than 130 years of this rivalry, a second arrived in the space of 10 minutes on the day as Foden ensured that he too would go home with a matchball.
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Anthony Martial's late brace - an 84th-minute strike and a brilliant 90th-minute penalty - restored some semblance of pride for the well-beaten visitors, but it was another chastening defeat for Ten Hag's side as their four-game winning run in the league came to an end with a shuddering halt.
Postponements due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II meant that Man United were featuring in the Premier League for the first time in four weeks, but the time off appeared to do them no good as their four-game winning streak was swiftly erased from the memory courtesy of four first-half goals without reply.
It could have been worse too, with Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva all being denied within seconds of each other in a triple-chance even before Foden broke the deadlock after eight minutes.
Foden's first was a stunning finish as he swept Bernardo's ball into the top corner at the near post, and Man City showed no signs of letting up as they swarmed all over their opponents.
Ilkay Gundogan clipped the outside of the post with a free kick, while Foden, Jack Grealish and De Bruyne all came close before Man City's dominance on the field was finally reflected on the scoresheet.
Haaland got his customary goal on his derby debut when he made the most of being marked by Christian Eriksen to plant a header from De Bruyne's corner over the line, despite Tyrell Malacia's best efforts to keep it out.
Another goal for Erling Haaland! 🔥😳 pic.twitter.com/ThC0720bsD
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 2, 2022
The same duo combined again to even more devastating effect just three minutes later when De Bruyne's defence-splitting through-ball was met with another ruthless first-time Haaland finish.
Haaland turned provider with a similarly precise pass for Foden's 50th goal for Man City just before half time, capping off a spell of three goals in 10 minutes to pile the misery on Man United, who also lost Raphael Varane to injury during that period.
Visiting supporters were seen filing out of the Etihad Stadium at the interval, although an otherwise-perfect opening 45 minutes for Man City was slightly dampened by Kyle Walker going off with an injury of his own.
Luke Shaw was brought on at half time and almost immediately let Foden in for a chance to secure his hat-trick earlier than he did, but the hosts did take their foot off the pedal in the second half, much to Pep Guardiola's frustration on the sidelines.
Even so, Man United's first goal came out of the blue as Antony curled home from range to make it two goals in two league games since his arrival - a scant moment of consolation for the away fans who had stayed for the second half.
"So you're saying there's a chance..." 👀
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 2, 2022
Antony pulls one back for Man United with 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐓 strike! 🇧🇷🔴 pic.twitter.com/OuCNpkIi4Z
Man City's cutting edge was soon on show again, though, and there is no-one more ruthless in world football right now than Haaland, who completed his hat-trick with his third one-touch finish of the afternoon.
The 22-year-old's list of records is already becoming too long to list just eight games into his Premier League career, and having surged to 14 top-flight goals already, he further underlined his claim to being the heir to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the latter of whom could only watch on as an unused substitute throughout as Manchester crowned a new goalscoring king.
This time the matchball was not his to keep alone, though, as Foden joined him in grabbing a hat-trick, lashing another Haaland pass beyond David de Gea.
While statisticians were checking the history books for the biggest-ever derby win, there was still a final flurry from Man United as Martial pulled two back late on - the second of which came from the spot after Joao Cancelo had brought him down inside the box.
Even a Martial brace at the Etihad in a derby game will only be a footnote in the story of this match, though, with Haaland once again stealing the show having had a direct hand in five of Man City's six goals.
Guardiola's side become only the third side in Premier League history to have two different hat-trick scorers in a single game, while the victory takes them back to within one point of early league leaders Arsenal.
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