Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden was sent off in the Manchester derby in stunning fashion after kicking out at Bruno Fernandes.
Old Trafford came alive in the first half-hour when Foden tussled with Manchester United's captain, with referee Michael Oliver adjudging that the England midfielder had violently kicked out.
Replays suggested Fernandes had kicked Foden while on the floor, and Foden responded by extending his legs into the stomach of Fernandes, and was given his marching orders.
Former United defender Gary Neville, who was sent off in a derby in 2004, said on Sky Sports: 'Oh dear. Oh dear, Phil Foden. He’s not having it, he’s hanging around. Bruno Fernandes has a bit of a kick at him while he’s on the ground and Foden reacts. He’s kicked him in the stomach. He’s not going to get away with that.
'You can see why he is annoyed. He thinks Bruno has had a kick at him. But he reacts badly. VAR described it as a kick with both feet into the stomach.'
He would later brand the act 'a petulant little reaction' to being kicked on the floor.
The ruling from VAR was that there was a 'secondary movement' from Foden and it was a 'clear red card'.
Foden is from Stockport in Greater Manchester but let his emotions get the better of him on this occasion.
England team-mate Marcus Rashford was among those calling for a red card, while Foden was consoled by the majority of his team-mates as he left the field.
Good friend and striker Erling Haaland, however, didn't see the need to give any love to the midfielder and angrily ordered him off the field.
It comes amid a tough run of form for the 26-year-old, who has not scored in 2026 and lost his England spot for the World Cup.
Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel was also in the crowd at Old Trafford to watch the game.
Foden was once Premier League player of the season, winning the award in the 2023-24 campaign, but he has struggled to produce performances since, and this is his latest setback.
Ksm_city
116
Bruno kicked Foden twice when he was on the ground but stupid Micheal Oliver ignored it and gave Foden a red. I’m not justifying Foden’s reaction but Bruno was supposed to get a yellow card as well.
AFerfiAK5522
88
10 men City gonna beat those cheaters
Susaekosyz
73
Poor VAR,why was Bruno Fernandes TWO KICKS not Taken into FODEM REACTION,poor Umpiring
Cuyiklmu
32
GOD WILL ALWAYS BE ALIVE AND PUNCH THOSE WHO DESERVE PUNISHMENT LIKE UNITED . 👏👏
Wamiklmsty
16
Bruno kicked Foden twice when he was on the ground but stupid Micheal Oliver ignored it and gave Foden a red. I’m not justifying Foden’s reaction but Bruno was supposed to get a yellow card as well.
Bruno should have gotten red card too.
ShabbarSufi
13
Referee Michael oliver made more touches than sesko🤣🤣
Marcellosaur7
10
Bruno kicked Foden twice when he was on the ground but stupid Micheal Oliver ignored it and gave Foden a red. I’m not justifying Foden’s reaction but Bruno was supposed to get a yellow card as well.
exactly my brother he kicked him twice unprovoked
Daisy-U
9
Bruno kicked Foden twice when he was on the ground but stupid Micheal Oliver ignored it and gave Foden a red. I’m not justifying Foden’s reaction but Bruno was supposed to get a yellow card as well.
That's true, Bruno lacks the captain's mentality. Behaves like children sometimes
Canbcekrsz
8
Bruno kicked Foden twice when he was on the ground but stupid Micheal Oliver ignored it and gave Foden a red. I’m not justifying Foden’s reaction but Bruno was supposed to get a yellow card as well.
That's definitely yellow card for Bruno Fernamdes, Michael Oliver is corrupt
El-Mosthigh
8
Bruno kicked Foden twice when he was on the ground but stupid Micheal Oliver ignored it and gave Foden a red. I’m not justifying Foden’s reaction but Bruno was supposed to get a yellow card as well.
They are scared city is gonna win the league. They want to bring city down so bad