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MANCHESTER, England: Manchester United was enraged after Erling Haaland\u2019s hotly contested goal settled the 199th Manchester derby.<\/p>\n
The Norwegian struck in the 60th minute to seal a 1-0 win for 10-man Manchester City at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday.<\/p>\n
At first, the goal was ruled out for offside, but after VAR review the onfield decision was overturned, sparking a roar of celebration from the away fans, including Oasis\u2019 Noel Gallagher.<\/p>\n
United\u2019s players were incensed because Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position during the buildup. The Premier League said the goal was allowed because, despite diving to head the ball, the Argentine did not get a touch before it reached Haaland at the far post.<\/p>\n
However, soccer rules state a player is interfering with play when \u201cclearly attempting to play a ball\u201d or \u201cchallenging an opponent for the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n
United defender Lisandro Martinez, who was challenging Fernandez, called it an \u201cinjustice\u201d and coach Michael Carrick was also perplexed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just don\u2019t get it, I really don\u2019t get it,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s worrying, it really is if that\u2019s how the game is seen by those who are officiating.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked if he thought he would get a better explanation from the referee\u2019s governing body or even an apology, Carrick said, \u201cI look forward to that.\u201d<\/p>\n
City\u2019s fans may have felt justice was done after Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes.<\/p>\n
Foden and City\u2019s players remonstrated on the field and coach Enzo Maresca said after that Fernandes should also have been shown a red for the altercation.<\/p>\n
With an extra man United hit the post either side of halftime – first from Marcus Rashford\u2019s long-range free kick and then Kobbie Mainoo\u2019s low shot from the edge of the area.<\/p>\n
It was Maresca\u2019s first derby since taking over from Pep Guardiola at the end of last season and victory extended City\u2019s 100% start to the season. City moved level on points with defending champion Arsenal at the top of the standings.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe red card changed the plan of the game, but credit to the players and their effort, spirit and togetherness was brilliant,\u201d Maresca said. \u201cIt is already an abnormal situation when you are able to win a game with 10 players. It is fantastic. Then this game is a derby so it is even better.\u201d<\/p>\n
United is 13th in the standings with just one win from four games.<\/p>\n
Carrick\u2019s teams plays Brighton in the English League Cup on Wednesday, having been knocked out of the competition at the earliest stage against fourth division Grimsby last season. United plays winless Fulham next weekend before the international break.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe haven\u2019t got as many points as we would have liked at this point, for sure. There\u2019s no getting away from that. But we don\u2019t need a break or a restart. We\u2019ve just got to move on and get winning again,\u201d Carrick said.<\/p>\n
Another record for Haaland<\/strong><\/p>\n Haaland\u2019s goal makes him the outright top scorer in the Manchester derby in the Premier League with nine.<\/p>\n He moved ahead of Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero, both on eight.<\/p>\n He has reached that total in eight games, compared to Rooney\u2019s 21 appearances and Aguero\u2019s 13.<\/p>\n It was Haaland\u2019s sixth goal of the season in all competitions.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can see he\u2019s happy, not only today, even day by day in the training sessions,\u201d Maresca said. \u201cAs much as we keep Erling happy, we are all happy. How do you say in English, \u2018happy wife, happy life?\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cHappy Erling, happy life.\u201d<\/p>\n City extended its record as the team to have won more games against United at Old Trafford in the Premier League than any other opponent, with 10 victories.<\/p>\n Liverpool is second with eight wins. Arsenal and Chelsea have six.<\/p>\n Coventry routed<\/strong><\/p>\n Coventry\u2019s nightmare start to the season continued with a 5-0 home loss to Brighton.<\/p>\n After running away at the top of the Championship last season it has been a rude awakening for Frank Lampard\u2019s team since its return to England\u2019s top flight.<\/p>\n Four straight defeats leaves Coventry rooted to the foot of the standings without a goal and a goal difference of minus 10.<\/p>\n Brighton led 1-0 at halftime through Charalampos Kostoulas before going on a scoring spree after the break with goals from Malick Yalcouye, Pascal Gross, Lewis Dunk and Yasin Ayari.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n