Erling Haaland opened the scoring for Manchester City in the derby against Manchester United following a lengthy VAR check. The striker was initially flagged offside after tucking in Josko Gvardiol’s deflected cross, putting City 1-0 up.
Despite initial TV replays appearing to show Haaland in an offside position, the Premier League’s semi-automated offside technology confirmed he was onside, played by Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu’s outstretched foot. The VAR, Matt Donohue, also determined that Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position in the penalty box and attempted to reach the cross, did not play the ball or interfere with play.
Haaland's goal, his ninth league goal against United, makes him the top scorer in Manchester derbies in the Premier League. The goal came while City were playing with 10 men after Phil Foden received a first-half red card.