Reuters
The Manchester derby had threatened to pass without incident. Then one exchange at Old Trafford exploded the game into life, and its forced the Premier League to explain itself over the controversial moment.
A quiet first half saw Manchester United settle the better of the two sides, but neither could create anything of note as a nervy derby unfolded. The game, and the atmosphere, ignited in the 23rd minute when Phil Foden was dismissed for a kick out at Bruno Fernandes.
Why Foden Was Sent Off
The United captain appeared to antagonise the City attacker with a small kick of his own, which drew Foden's reaction. Michael Oliver produced red, and Gary Neville on commentary was left confused as to how Fernandes had escaped without so much as a yellow, given he initiated the altercation.
It was a sorry moment that further encapsulated Foden's struggles. The England international has now gone 34 games without a competitive goal, and is unavailable for the next three matches as a result.
He is also the first player sent off in this fixture for the best part of a decade. The last to see red in a Manchester derby was Marouane Fellaini, for a headbutt on Sergio Agüero in April 2017.
Speaking on commentary, Neville was surprised that Fernandes didn't receive any punishment, and also sympathised with Foden, drawing on his own experiences of being sent off in the same game during his career.
"Well he's not having it Phil Foden, Bruno Fernandes has a bit of kick at him while he's on the ground and it look like he reacts. Is it a punch in the stomach? A kick in the stomach?
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"He's kicked into the stomach. He's not going to get away with that. You can see why he's annoyed Foden, he thinks Bruno kicked at him while he's down. He then reacts badly. VAR described it as a kick with both feet into the stomach. I have reacted and sent off in a Manchester derby, it is a painful run down the tunnel."
He added: "I'm surprised Bruno didn't get a yellow, I don't think it's a red but he's got away with one. He certainly pulled a reaction out of Foden which will help his teammates.
"The thing I thought he got wrong, that's a yellow card for Bruno Fernandes, that one you're not going to get away with. He's shocked Phil Foden but once he gets into the dressing room, he'll realise."
The Premier League Statement
The league's match centre confirmed the decision and released the exchange between Oliver and Stockley Park.
"The referee's call of red card to Foden for violent conduct was checked and confirmed by VAR," the statement read.
"REF: 'Red card Phil Foden – kick out into the body of Bruno.'
"VAR: 'That looks like a clear red card to me. Looks to be a secondary movement. Confirming the red card for Manchester City No.47.'"
Fernandes Escapes Punishment
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What the statement does not address is the other half of the incident. Fernandes was neither cautioned on the field nor reviewed by VAR, an inconsistency that will sit uncomfortably with City and which Neville flagged in real time.
VAR cannot intervene on a missed yellow card, so the outcome is technically correct under protocol. That will be little comfort to Enzo Maresca, who loses his most creative starter for the rest of the derby and his side must now survive with 10 men, and for three fixtures beyond it, without Foden.