Manchester United controversially conceded to Erling Haaland's opener for Man City
The Premier League's graphic showing the Erling Haaland onside decision
The Premier League's graphic showing the Erling Haaland onside decision
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The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) deemed that Patrick Dorgu played Erling Haaland onside and Enzo Fernandez hadn't interfered for Manchester City's opening goal against Manchester United.
Haaland powered home the opener at the back post from a cross but was initially deemed offside. Following a lengthy review from the VAR, it was found that neither Haaland was onside, nor was Fernandez, who was in an offside position, had played the ball with Lisandro Martinez defending behind him.
Josko Gvardiol's shot deflected towards the back post from Dorgu for the Norwegian, who finished well. The inquest surrounding the goal dragged on before the linesman's flag was overruled.
A tweet from the Premier League Match Centre said: "#MUNMCI – 59’ VAR OVERTURN. VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for offside – and determined that Haaland was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded.
"The VAR also deemed that while in an offside position, Fernandez didn’t play the ball."
An opponent who interferes with play will be penalised if they are clearly attempting to play a ball which close when this action impacts on an opponent or making an obvious action which impacts the ability of an opponent to play the ball.
Fernandez lunged towards the delivery with a diving header with Martinez behind him. But the goal stood following the intervention from the video assistant.
Former United defender Gary Neville felt that top-flight officials will be forced to admit an error as he believes Fernandez impacted his Argentinian countryman. He said: "The question is does Enzo Fernandez put off Lisandro Martinez?
"I think he does because he (Martinez) sort of hesitates. I do think when they look back, they'll recognise they got it wrong."
United had a man advantage when Phil Foden was sent off for an off-the-ball incident with Bruno Fernandes. However, they failed to take advantage of their best chance, falling to Bryan Mbeumo deep into stoppage time, but he was brilliantly denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Michael Carrick's side had twice struck the post when Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo rattled the woodwork in the first and second-half respectively. But it was a disappointing afternoon for the hosts with Haaland's controversial effort proving to be the match-winning moment.
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