Erling Haaland scored in the second half as 10-man Manchester City beat Manchester United 1-0 in a contentious Premier League derby on Sunday.
The Norwegian’s 60th-minute strike was initially ruled out for offside. However, VAR overturned the decision after a lengthy review.
Foden sees red
City were reduced to 10 men in the 23rd minute.
Phil Foden was sent off for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes from a prone position. The incident left City facing a long spell with a numerical disadvantage.
United struggled to make their extra man count. Marcus Rashford came close before half-time when his free-kick struck the left-hand post.
United hit the woodwork again six minutes after the restart. Kobbie Mainoo’s effort from distance crashed against the post.
Haaland goal survives VAR check
City took the lead in the 60th minute.
Haaland steered Josko Gvardiol’s cross into the net from a tight angle. The assistant referee immediately raised his flag for offside.
Replays, however, showed that Patrick Dorgu’s outstretched foot had played Haaland onside.
The VAR review also examined Enzo Fernandez’s involvement. Fernandez was in an offside position and tried to reach the cross without making contact.
His movement appeared to affect Lisandro Martinez’s attempt to intercept the ball. VAR nevertheless ruled that Fernandez had not committed an offside offence.
City then held on as United pushed for an equaliser.
Gianluigi Donnarumma made a key stoppage-time save to deny Bryan Mbeumo and secure the victory.
The result leaves City second in the table with 12 points from four games. They are behind leaders Arsenal on goal difference.
United are 13th with four points from four matches.
Haaland praises City’s fight
Haaland praised his teammates for their response after Foden’s dismissal.
“It’s a kind of new experience to win with 10 men, and it’s amazing, I have to be honest,” Haaland told Sky Sports.
“We need fighters in the team, which we have plenty of … I’m super happy with every single one, and I’m so so proud of everyone … I think we even became sharper when we became 10 men. That’s how we have to play all the time, with 11 men as well.”
Haaland also admitted he was unsure why his goal had been allowed to stand.
“I think there was a flick, so I thought maybe there was someone who flicked it, because I normally don’t go offside. So I told Michael Oliver I took it a bit personally that he thought it was offside,” he joked.
“But I looked over to Enzo, the gaffer, and he gave me a thumbs up, and then I kind of knew that it was a goal, so I prepared myself a bit to celebrate.”
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