Haaland fires 10-man Manchester City past United in controversial derby
Manchester City beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford despite playing the second half with 10 men, as Erling Haaland scored a controversial winner in a derby shaped by a first-half red card and two United efforts against the post.
The result prevented Michael Carrick from becoming the Manchester United manager since 1913 to win both of his first two league meetings with City. Instead Enzo Marescas team extended their unbeaten away streak to eight games. Joined the top of the Premier League standings.
Match highlight
The competitive Manchester derby started slowly. In the twenty minutes there was little of the expected intensity and neither goalkeeper was seriously challenged.
Then the match changed.
Bruno Fernandes and Phil Foden fought in midfield. Fernandes seemed to kick Foden when the City player was on the ground. The situation grew later. Foden answered with a kick to Fernandes stomach and was shown a red card.
The decision reminded many of David Beckhams card for England against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup. Foden became the City player to be sent off in a Manchester derby since 2006.
Before the match Maresca told City to "embrace the chaos." His team did that. United did not immediately use their man but they nearly did before half‑time. Marcus Rashford hit a free‑kick from 25 metres that beat Gianluigi Donnarumma but rebounded off the post.
Five minutes after the restart United struck the woodwork again. Kobbie Mainoo shot from a distance against the post with Donnarumma again beaten.
United had the momentum. City scored.
Josko Gvardiol passed the ball to Haaland, who was first called offside. The decision was reviewed because Enzo Fernandez was offside but had not touched the ball. The officials kept the goal ruling that Fernandez had not interfered with play. Haaland. City celebrated in front of the away fans.
The goal was the moment of the match and left United furious. They had hit the post twice. Controlled most of the second half but City had found the only finish that mattered.
Haaland almost made it 2‑0 minutes later. The City forward curled a shot toward the corner but Senne Lammens deflected it onto the post.
United could not produce a response. Bryan Mbeumo headed a shot wide while Fernandes tried from distance. Donnarumma was rarely forced into another difficult save after Haalands goal.
City finished the stages, with discipline protecting their lead even though Foden was dismissed. For United it was an afternoon: two shots off the post long periods of pressure and no reward.
