A Flashpoint With Bruno Fernandes
Manchester City made it four wins from four with a 1-0 victory away at Manchester United in Matchweek 4, but the afternoon turned ugly in the 23rd minute when Phil Foden was shown a straight red card. Referee Michael Oliver sent Foden off after he reacted to being kicked twice by Bruno Fernandes near the touchline, retaliating with a studs-up kick to the United captain’s midriff.
It was the first red card of Foden’s Premier League career, and the FA has since confirmed a three-match ban for violent conduct. City still saw out the win with ten men to extend their perfect start to the season, but they’ll now be without their England international for a run of fixtures just as the campaign starts to get congested.
Pep Guardiola’s side head into a stretch of games that includes a Carabao Cup trip to Norwich, the visit of Sunderland to the Etihad, and a Champions League fixture — all without one of their most influential attacking players.
Three Games Without a Key Creator
Foden has been a regular fixture in City’s attack this season, and his absence leaves Guardiola needing to rework his forward options for a run that includes a home Premier League game against a Sunderland side that has already caused problems for bigger names this season.
City’s squad depth means the results are unlikely to suffer immediately given their perfect league record so far, but a three-game gap at this stage of the season is still a notable blow, particularly with the fixture list not easing up.
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