Contentious Haaland goal settles dramatic derby
Erling Haaland's controversially awarded goal saw 10-man Manchester City edge out Manchester United in a tense and fiery Premier League derby at Old Trafford.
The odds were stacked against Man City when Phil Foden saw red for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes in the 23rd minute.
Yet, on the hour mark, Haaland steered in at the back post from Josko Gvardiol's cross.
The goal was initially disallowed for offside, but after a VAR review, it was awarded, with Haaland having stayed onside. United, though, will be pointing to Enzo Fernandez having been ahead of the play as he attempted to meet the delivery.
Gianluigi Donnarumma came to the fore late on, making a sublime save to make it four wins from four Premier League games for City under Enzo Maresca.
The drama started midway through the first half.
Fernandes kicked Foden while the latter was on the turf, but the City playmaker reacted rashly and lashed out, with referee Michael Oliver reaching for a red card.
Yet United could not craft an opportunity until the cusp of half-time, when Marcus Rashford's free-kick hit the left-hand upright.
United was denied by the woodwork again early in the second half, as Kobbie Mainoo's strike from range hit the post.
But then, City's breakthrough arrived.
Gvardiol’s cross flashed across the box to Haaland, who expertly finished on the stretch, and though the offside flag initially cut short City's celebrations, they were revived after the VAR call, much to United's anger.
Senne Lammens tipped a Fernandez strike onto the post, and United could have made that save count in stoppage time. Donnarumma, though, somehow kept out Bryan Mbeumo's close-range effort.
Erling Braut Haaland
Manchester City FC
