Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden has stepped forward to shoulder the responsibility for his team's dramatic derby defeat, issuing a staunch defence of much-criticised teammate Jérémy Doku.
In the fiery aftermath of City's 2-1 loss to arch-rivals Manchester United, the spotlight fell heavily on winger Doku, whose challenge resulted in the late penalty that decided the fractious contest. But Foden, a leader in the City dressing room, was quick to dismiss what he labelled as "unfair" finger-pointing.
A United Front: Foden's Defence of Doku
Speaking with the authority of a club vice-captain, Foden insisted the loss was a collective failure, not the fault of any single player. "It's not fair to blame Jérémy," Foden stated emphatically. "We win and lose as a team. One moment doesn't define a game."
The England international argued that City's inability to convert their dominance into a more secure lead was the true reason for the upset. "We had chances to put the game to bed and we didn't take them. That's on all of us," he added, redirecting the narrative towards the team's overall performance rather than the decisive penalty incident.
Beyond the Spotlight: Analysing City's Uncharacteristic Stumble
The defeat was a rare stumble for the reigning champions, who have historically dominated possession and chances against United at the Etihad. Despite controlling large portions of the match, Pep Guardiola's side were left stunned by a classic counter-attacking performance from their rivals.
Foden's public intervention is seen as a crucial move to maintain squad harmony and protect a valued teammate from excessive scrutiny. His comments highlight the strong camaraderie within the City camp, even in the face of a painful and unexpected loss that dents their title defence ambitions.
The result leaves the Premier League title race wide open, with City now under pressure to respond immediately and prove this defeat was merely a minor setback in their quest for another championship.
