Erling Haaland now stands alone at the top of the Premier League Manchester derby scoring charts. His winner at Old Trafford took him to nine goals in the fixture, moving him one clear of Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero, who each finished on eight.
The numbers are unforgiving on his predecessors. Haaland reached nine in only his eighth derby appearance, according to the record breakdown. Rooney needed 21 derbies to score his eight; Aguero got there in 13.
Foden gone after 22 minutes
Phil Foden was sent off on 22 minutes for kicking Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes around the midriff. Referee Michael Oliver’s straight red was backed by VAR, and Enzo Maresca’s side spent almost 70 minutes with 10 men on the pitch.
Haaland then broke the deadlock in the 60th minute with a finish that officials would soon regret. It was flagged offside on the pitch and overturned by VAR: City midfielder Enzo Fernandez had been in an offside position when the ball arrived but did not touch it, and video officials ruled he was not interfering with play.
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Pro Ref later admitted VAR should have intervened
Pro Ref, the body that oversees Premier League referees, said on Sunday evening that the VAR had not recognised the likely impact of Fernandez’s position and should have recommended an on-field review. The body said it had contacted Manchester United to acknowledge an “error of judgment”.
Michael Carrick was blunt on the officiating.
“I just don’t get it, I really don’t get it. It’s worrying, it really is if that’s how the game is seen by those officiating,” the United head coach said.
Maresca chose to focus on the ten men rather than the goal.
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“It is already an abnormal situation when you are able to win a game with 10 players,” the City head coach said.
Haaland framed the afternoon in the same terms.
“It’s amazing to win with 10 men,” he said.
“This shows the personality and character to keep the ball away at Old Trafford with 10 men. That is personality.”
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City stay on maximum points
The result extended Manchester City’s 100 percent start to the season and left them level on points with defending champions Arsenal at the top of the Premier League after four matches.
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