Erling Haaland's goal settled the Manchester Derby for City, but Enzo Fernandez's offside position and attempt to play the ball has sparked fury among the pundits
Gary Neville speaks on his The Gary Neville Podcast
Gary Neville was confused by the decision(Image: The Gary Neville Podcast/Sky Sports)
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Gary Neville has demanded an apology from Pro Ref after Erling Haaland's controversial goal settled the Manchester Derby. Haaland's strike saw 10-man Manchester City win at Old Trafford in a match shrouded in debate.
The City striker's goal from Josko Gvardiol's deflected cross was initially ruled out for offside before VAR overturned the on-field decision. Haaland was played onside by Patrick Dorgu, but Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position when the ball passed him and the City midfield made an attempt to head it in front of Lisandro Martinez.
Explaining the decision, the Premier League Match Centre wrote: "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."
Neville was confused by the call while on co-commentary duties for Sky Sports. "The officials will be nervous about this goal," Neville said. "When they look back on this, they will recognise they got this wrong.
"The question is does Fernandez, who is offside, stop Martinez getting the ball? He does."
After hearing the explanation, he added: "They're the words that I think – emphatically – means we will see an apology from Pro Ref.
"There is no doubt that Enzo is attempting to play the ball and putting Lisandro Martinez off. It’s a really strange one. They’ll recognise they got that wrong."
Neville did concede that "Manchester City have been very good" but reiterated that there should be "a massive inquest into the goal which I think was wrongly given."
Erling Haaland offside call
Erling Haaland's goal was allowed to stand
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The former Manchester United defender was far from the only pundit to question the decision. Wayne Rooney said on the BBC: "Surely it's offside. Martinez is impacted by Enzo's movement, and he is offside."
Replying to the Premier League Match Centre's explanation, Rio Ferdinand wrote on X: "Enzo Fernandez not played the ball?" He then shared a screengrab of Fernandez stretching to try and head the ball.
Ferdinand then posted: "Martinez has to go defend the man nearest the goal whether he believes he’s offside or not. In split seconds, you make the decision. He goes to defend Fernandez - who then attempts to play the ball. Deluded from VAR!"
Ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards said on Sky Sports: "I think it's been a bad day for referees, it's been a bad day for VAR. I think they got the Phil Foden decision wrong on 23 minutes and they got this decision wrong.
"How can you say that Enzo Fernandez is not challenging for the ball?! I've been in that situation as a defender and any slight movement can make the difference between going for the ball or not. Of course it affects it! I just think they've got it so wrong."
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