Erling Haaland's contentious winner earned 10-man Manchester City a derby win over rivals United at Old Trafford - after Phil Foden's controversial first-half red card. City have now joined Arsenal as Premier League title race pace setters with maximum points from four games - but their winning goal against Man Utd will be questioned. Enzo Fernandez looked to impact play when clearly in an offside position - but the goal was not ruled out.
"When they look back on this, they will recognise they got this wrong," added Neville. "We will see an apology from Pro Ref. There is no doubt that Fernandez is attempting to play the ball and putting Lisandro Martinez off." City will feel justice was done after their job became much harder when Foden was given his marching orders earlier.
A tepid first half of the 199th Manchester derby was dominated by Foden's shock sending-off. After United captain Bruno Fernandes kicked the ball into his midriff, Foden was adjudged to have reacted by kicking back at the Portuguese. "VAR has described it as a kick with both feet into the stomach," said Gary Neville on co-commentary.
Whether there was enough contact from Foden to cross the violent conduct threshold will be debated. Whether Fernandes should have also seen red for kicking out at Foden first will also be talked about. Despite the man advantage, United struggled to use their dominance to full effect.
They did hit the post twice through Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo - but when Haaland is on the other team, City always have a chance. That came true as he tapped home at the back post, yet the offside flag went up. The semi-automated offside technology ruled Haaland onside so the goal was given - but Fernandez being clearly offside and trying to get on the end of the same cross was also approved by VAR.
The Premier League Match Centre claimed the goal was allowed because Fernandez did not touch the ball - when the rules state that is not necessarily relevant, as impacting the play is the crucial line in the rulebook. While the debate over Foden red card and the Haaland winner will go on, City will see themselves as real contenders for the title after a gutsy display with 10 men. United, who saw Bryan Mbeumo denied a late leveller by a stunning Gianluigi Donnarumma save, will ask themselves why they didn't have the quality to hurt a transitional City with an extra man.
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