Premier League Defends Haaland Goal After VAR Review

Manchester City defeated Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford to maintain a perfect Premier League start and move to 12 points, level with leaders Arsenal, while United remained on four points. Erling Haaland scored the decisive goal in the 60th minute from Josko Gvardiol’s cross after VAR overturned an assistant referee’s offside flag. The Premier League Match Centre said Haaland was onside and that Enzo Fernández, although initially in an offside position, had not played or interfered sufficiently with the ball to invalidate the goal. The decision drew criticism from United supporters and former players Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville, who questioned why Fernández’s apparent attempt to challenge for the ball did not constitute interference. City had played with 10 men since Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes, whose role in initiating the confrontation went unpunished. Despite United having more possession and shots, City defended resolutely, while the defeat and United’s lack of attacking threat intensified scrutiny of Michael Carrick’s side.