Not only did Manchester City seal a 3-1 win over their rivals Manchester United on Sunday, but they also claimed bragging rights, put themselves within a point of Premier League leaders Liverpool and ended a proud United record that has stood for over ten years.
Rodri, who was a standout during the match, producing two assists to tee up Phil Foden for his first goal and Erling Haaland for his injury time strike, also surpassed a milestone set by a Chelsea legend back in 2008.
While Erik ten Hag’s side ultimately suffered defeat, the Dutch manager claimed his side ‘are really progressing’ and lauded the Red Devils for their ‘togetherness’, singling out Marcus Rashford for his sensational goal.
The England striker got the Red Devils off to a flying start, hammering a wonderous strike into the back of the net from long-range to put the visitors 1-0 up after just eight minutes.
The visitors held off the advances of their city rivals until half-time, with Erling Haaland missing an absolute sitter just before the break. Despite that, Pep Guardiola’s side would hit back in the second term, with Foden scoring a sublime goal of his own – curling the ball into the top-left corner of Andre Onana’s goal from outside the penalty area.
Rodri has surpassed an impressive record set by a Chelsea legend following Man City’s 3-1 win vs Man United
Manchester City also broke a 16-year record that Manchester United had held, after Erik ten hag’s side had taken a 1-0 lead in the first half
Marcus Rashford had put the visitors a goal up with a sensational strike from outside the area
He followed up with a second before Erling Haaland sealed the 3-1 victory with a goal in injury time, putting City within one point of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
But before today, United had not lost a game after leading 1-0 at half-time since September 2014 where they suffered a 5-3 defeat against Leicester, according to Opta.
Sunday’s defeat against City ended their 10-year run of having been unbeaten in 143 games when ahead at the break – having won 123 of those matches while drawing 20.
But that wasn’t the only record broken, with Rodri surpassing a record set by former Chelsea star Ricardo Carvalho 16-years ago.
The Blues defender sensationally managed to feature in 58 games for Chelsea without seeing his team suffer defeat between November 2006 and February 2008.
But City’s win on Sunday means Rodri has now surpassed that stat, having not suffered suffer defeat in his last 59 appearances for the club.
Guardiola’s side have suffered only three losses this season in the Premier League, with the Spaniard notably having been absent for all three matches – perhaps telling of his importance in this City side.
Despite Rodri breaking Carvalho’s record, it was Foden who was City’s star on Sunday, with Guardiola lauding his forward as an ‘already legendary player’.
‘Winning games is when you become a world class player. Everyone play good but you have to win games, and he wins games. What can I say?,’ the Spanish manager said to Sky Sports after the game.
Bruno Fernandes’ side had not been beaten after holding the lead at half-time, since 2014
Pep Guardiola’s side, meanwhile, have now gone to within one point of Premier League leaders Liverpool
Rodri (left) has not lost when he has featured on Man City’s team sheets in 59 matches
Guardiola has lauded Phil Foden, who scored twice in the match, as an ‘already legendary player’
‘He loves football. He lives to play. There are people who like to play. He loves to play football.
‘He will already be a legendary player because in a short age, the games played, the minutes, the goals scored, the titles won and he is from the home and that is why the connection with the fans is unbelievable.
‘He is the player of the season, with all the respect for incredible players but no-one has been so decisive for us as him this season.’
