Maresca criticises focus on controversial winner

WHAT HAPPENED
Manchester City edged a 1-0 win at Manchester United thanks to an Erling Haaland strike that was ultimately awarded after a VAR review. The goal came around the hour mark, following a period in which City had been reduced to 10 men after Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes.

After the match the decision around the goal dominated discussion: the on-field flag had initially disallowed the effort for offside, VAR intervened and the goal was given, but the referees’ body later accepted that the review process failed to identify an offside by Enzo Fernández that should have been considered. City manager Enzo Maresca said the focus on that single incident had detracted from what he described as an excellent performance.

KEY CONTEXT
Maresca, who took over from Pep Guardiola in the summer, defended his side’s display at Old Trafford and pointed to past incidents where VAR had not gone City’s way, citing a January 2023 game — when he was part of Guardiola’s staff — as an example. Pro Ref’s head Howard Webb, speaking on Match Officials Mic’d Up, confirmed the officials did not evaluate Fernández’s position properly during the VAR check and expressed disappointment at the outcome.

During the match United struck the post shortly before and after half-time, while City had to cope with an extended spell a man down before Haaland’s controversial winner. Webb explained that the VAR operator concentrated on determining whether Haaland was onside and did not fully assess whether Fernández, who had dived at the ball in a central position, was interfering with play.

WHY IT MATTERS
The episode highlights continuing questions about the consistency and scope of VAR interventions in Premier League matches. The refereeing body’s admission of error is notable because it confirmed a procedural failing rather than leaving the decision unchallenged, and it shifted attention from City’s result and performance to how critical incidents are reviewed. For managers and players, such admissions undermine confidence in officiating processes and amplify scrutiny whenever VAR decides tight calls.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
City travel to face Norwich in the Carabao Cup third round on Thursday (kick-off 19:30 BST), then return to Premier League action at home to Sunderland on Sunday (14:00 BST). Attention will likely remain on how refereeing officials handle similar situations in future games and whether any procedural clarifications or apologies emerge from the governing bodies after this incident.

KEY FACTS
- Haaland’s goal was initially ruled out for offside on the pitch before being awarded after a VAR review.
- Pro Ref’s chief Howard Webb said VAR did not consider whether Enzo Fernández was offside when assessing the goal.
- Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes.
- City played the majority of the derby with 10 men but recorded a 1-0 league win, their fourth successive league victory.
- Maresca criticised the focus on the controversy and defended his team’s overall performance.