Phil Foden has been a lot of things for Manchester City, but never a disciplinary problem. In 374 appearances for them until Sunday, he's been shown a yellow card just 18 times and sent off just once - against Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League, seven years ago; for collecting two yellow cards in the match.
In the latest Manchester derby however, the forward was shown a straight red for the first time in his otherwise pristine career. For someone who almost never lets his emotions get the better of him, it was truly surprising to see Foden land a kick straight into Bruno Fernandes while on the floor, as the duo tussled for possession.
Replays showed it was a soft contact, and not a nasty kick. But it didn't stop referee Michael Oliver from brandishing a straight red and sending Foden for an early bath as City's visit to Old Trafford was quickly going haywire.
Upon receiving the ball on the edge of the line near City's box, Foden went down under a challenge from Bruno Fernandes with his legs up, and appeared to run it into the Portuguese star's abdomen in a swift - and rather stupid - reaction.
As Michael Oliver sent him off, Foden joined an unwanted list of City players who have been sent off in the Manchester derby in the Premier League. In fact, he's only the second player from the club this century to see a red card in the fixture.
Back in 2006, Bernardo Corradi was sent off for the Blues in a 3-1 defeat for the side as United later went on to clinch the Premier League title. Corradi was shown a second yellow in the 90th minute for diving after having been booked at the hour mark for a handball. However, the damage was already done with the Red Devils in the driving seat with a two-goal cushion.
Foden now gives him company on the unwanted list. He's also the first player to get sent off in the Manchester derby since Marouane Fellaini in April 2017, although that game took place at the Etihad stadium. Before Foden on Sunday, Chris Smalling was the last player to see a red card in the derby at Old Trafford, with the defender going off after two quick bookings in the first half.
A straight red also means Foden now faces a three-game suspension for Manchester City.
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