Haaland VAR Goal Seals Manchester City Derby Win After Foden Red

Manchester City came through a tense derby with 10 men to preserve their perfect Premier League start, with Erling Haaland’s VAR-approved goal proving decisive after Phil Foden’s first-half dismissal.

Key takeaways

• Foden was sent off following an incident involving Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
• Enzo Maresca said Fernandes should also have been punished in the same confrontation.
• Haaland’s goal stood despite United complaints that Enzo Fernandez had been offside and involved in the move.
• City now have 12 points and are level with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.
• Norwich City visit in the Carabao Cup on Thursday before Sunderland arrive on Sunday.

Ten-man City change their approach

The derby turned after Foden’s red card, forcing City to abandon their original plan and defend with greater discipline for the remainder of the contest. Maresca praised the collective response, highlighting the players’ work rate, unity and resolve while short-handed.

He accepted that Foden’s dismissal was warranted, but believed the officials should have acted against Fernandes too. In Maresca’s view, the United midfielder should not have escaped punishment from the same sequence.

City subsequently kept United from creating the counter-attacking openings and space in behind that might have changed the result. Maresca described the three points as an outstanding team achievement rather than an occasion to focus on his own role.

Maresca embraces derby victory

Maresca’s animated celebrations at the final whistle reflected the significance of winning a derby after playing much of it with 10 players. He said the emotion was a natural response to a match that carries particular importance for supporters, the club and the manager.

United supporters disputed Haaland’s goal, believing Fernandez had affected play from an offside position. VAR reviewed the situation and allowed the strike, with Maresca insisting the decision was clearly correct.

The result leaves City on a 100 per cent record after reaching 12 points, alongside Premier League leaders Arsenal. Their attention now turns to Thursday’s Carabao Cup third-round tie at home to Norwich, followed by Sunderland’s league visit on Sunday ahead of the international break.