10-man Manchester City edge United in controversial derby as Haaland seals victory

Pep Guardiola may have departed after a decade in charge of Manchester City, but for now at least, Manchester remains sky blue. In a hugely controversial derby at Old Trafford, City secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a 60th-minute goal from the inevitable Erling Haaland, despite playing for more than 70 minutes with just 10 men after Phil Foden became the first City player to be sent off in a derby since Bernardo Corradi in December 2006.

The match discussion will inevitably centre on City’s goal, which came after a Joško Gvardiol cross deflected off Patrick Dorgu’s boot. Enzo Fernandez, in the middle of the penalty area, was clearly offside and dived towards the ball in an attempt to get a touch. Lisandro Martinez, next to him, did not make any contact either, and the ball went through to Haaland beyond the far post.

The finish was clinical, but the assistant referee immediately flagged for offside, but the VAR concluded that Dorgu’s boot had played Haaland onside. Since Fernandez had not touched the ball, he was not deemed to be interfering with play.

Fans of a City persuasion will argue that the favourable call was no less than they deserved after Foden’s sending-off. Replays clearly showed that it was Bruno Fernandes who first fouled Foden before kicking out at him while he was lying on the floor. The City midfielder was naive in the extreme to lash out, giving Michael Oliver almost no option but to show him a red card.

City going down to 10 men didn’t help United, who had set up to break at pace on the counter. There was an air of uncertainty though United had 55 per cent of the ball, and few opportunities were created from open play. They did hit the post either side of half-time, first from a Marcus Rashford free-kick and then with a curling long-range effort from Kobbie Mainoo.

City too saw a Enzo effort deflected on to the post in the second half, and right at the end, Fernandes played a through ball to Bryan Mbeumo, whose shot was superbly saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

There were heroes all across the pitch for City. Iliman Ndiaye came on at half-time and did a sterling job of holding up the ball, while Elliot Anderson was a dynamo in midfield. Mark Guehi and Ruben Dias were immense at the back, while Enzo showed off his full range of skills — and his penchant for theatricality in equal measure.

The sheer emotion of the Enzo Maresca celebration at the end spoke of far more than just three points. In keeping pace with Arsenal, City passed their first big test of the season. Despite the odds being totally against them, they and their manager passed with flying colours.

As for the controversy, that debate could rage on and on.

For More Exciting Articles: Follow RevSportz

The post 10-man Manchester City edge United in controversial derby as Haaland seals victory appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.