Controversial Haaland Goal Seals Derby Win for 10-Man Manchester City

Manchester City walked away from Old Trafford with all three points after beating Manchester United 1-0 in a Manchester derby dominated by two controversial refereeing decisions. Erling Haaland scored the only goal of the game in the second half, but the decision to allow his goal became the biggest talking point of the night.

Earlier, City had been reduced to 10 men after Phil Foden was shown a straight red card in the 23rd minute. The first major incident came after a challenge involving Foden and United captain Bruno Fernandes. With Foden on the ground, Fernandes caught the City forward, who responded by kicking out at him. Referee Michael Oliver immediately showed Foden a straight red card. VAR checked the incident but did not overturn the decision.

City, however, were unhappy that Fernandes escaped without the same punishment after his role in starting the confrontation. City manager Enzo Maresca later argued that if Foden deserved to be sent off, Fernandes should also have received a red card. He said, “We had a plan 11 v 11 that after the red card completely changed. I think the red card for Phil Foden is a red card. But I also think in the same action it’s a red card for Bruno."

Playing against 10 men for more than an hour gave United a huge opportunity to take control of the derby. They came close before halftime when Marcus Rashford's free kick struck the post. Kobbie Mainoo then hit the woodwork early in the second half. But United's failure to take their chances proved costly.

The decisive and most controversial moment arrived in the 60th minute.

Josko Gvardiol delivered a cross into the United penalty area, and Haaland finished at the far post. The assistant referee initially raised the flag for offside, apparently denying City the opening goal. VAR then became involved. Replays showed that Patrick Dorgu's outstretched foot had actually played Haaland onside. But that was only one part of the decision. Enzo Fernández was clearly in an offside position in the middle and made a diving attempt to reach Gvardiol's cross. Although Fernández did not touch the ball, Lisandro Martínez had to react to his movement as the ball travelled towards Haaland.

After a lengthy check, VAR decided Fernández had not committed an offside offence and overturned the original decision. The goal was awarded. That decision immediately caused anger among the United players and supporters. The question was simple: even if Fernández did not touch the ball, did his attempt to play it interfere with Martínez's ability to defend?

United manager Michael Carrick certainly thought so. He questioned how a player could dive towards a ball from close range without being considered involved in the play.

United's frustration became even more understandable after the match. Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref) admitted that an"error of judgement" had been made. The refereeing body accepted that VAR had FAILED to properly consider the likely impact of Fernández's position on Martínez and said Michael Oliver should have been advised to conduct an on-field review. Pro Ref also contacted Manchester United following the match and confirmed that the incident would be reviewed.

That admission will make the defeat even harder for United to accept. Still, United cannot blame the officials for everything. They played against 10 men from the 23rd minute, hit the woodwork twice and had several opportunities to win the game. City defended with determination, while Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a crucial late save to deny Bryan Mbeumo.

In the end, Haaland's goal separated the two Manchester clubs. City will celebrate an impressive derby victory achieved with 10 men, but for United, the result will be remembered for a winning goal that the refereeing body itself later admitted should have received further review.