Explosive Manchester Derby: The Fiery Moment That Earned Phil Foden His Red Card

It didn't take long for the season's opening Manchester derby to descend into controversy and tension.

Manchester City's Phil Foden was shown a red card for violent conduct in the 23rd minute following an altercation with Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes, kicking the Portuguese midfielder to the ground near the touchline after a robust challenge.

"Red card Phil Foden—kick out into the body of Bruno," referee Michael Oliver declared. The decision was subsequently reviewed and upheld by VAR, which stated: "That looks like a clear red card to me. Looks to be a secondary movement. Confirming the red card for Manchester City No. 47."

According to the FA's regulations, violent conduct is defined as "when a player uses or attempts to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball, or against a teammate, team official, match official, spectator or any other person, regardless of whether contact is made."

The decision remained controversial, as footage showed Fernandes kicking the backside of a grounded Foden before the latter's two-footed retaliation. Fernandes escaped without a booking, prompting City's new manager Enzo Maresca to react furiously on the touchline. It proved a turbulent beginning to the Italian coach's first Manchester derby in charge, with his team reduced to ten men before even reaching the half-hour mark.

It marked the first red card in a Manchester derby in two decades. City's Bernardo Corradi was the last player dismissed, for diving back in 2006, also at Old Trafford. It was only the second red card of Foden's career, with the first coming in 2019 during a Champions League fixture against Atalanta.