Ten-Man Manchester City Beat United 1-0 in Manchester Derby

THE RESULT

Manchester City beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday in the 199th Manchester derby, despite playing more than an hour with ten men. The win moves City to 4 wins from 4 games and 12 points, top of the Premier League table. United, who opened the season with a loss to Hull City and a 2-2 draw with Everton, sit on 4 points after four matches.

THE FODEN RED CARD

City's afternoon was upended in the 22nd minute when Phil Foden was sent off. Bruno Fernandes had fouled Foden as he went to ground, and Foden kicked out at the United captain in response. Referee Michael Oliver showed a straight red card after a VAR review, while Fernandes received no card at all for the initial foul. Foden became only the second City player ever sent off in a Premier League Manchester derby, after Bernardo Corradi in December 2006. City manager Enzo Maresca was also booked during the match, reportedly triggering a one match touchline ban.

HAALAND'S WINNER

With City down to ten men, Erling Haaland struck in the 60th minute, turning in a deflected cross from Josko Gvardiol at the far post. The goal was initially flagged for offside before the assistant referee and VAR confirmed Haaland had been played onside by United defender Patrick Dorgu's outstretched foot. It was Haaland's ninth career goal against United, one short of the joint derby scoring record held by Franny Lee and Joe Hayes.

OTHER KEY MOMENTS

United had chances of their own. Kobbie Mainoo struck the post in the 51st minute, and Haaland himself somehow missed from close range in the 76th minute after a Julian Alvarez free kick, the ball flashing wide by inches at the other end. City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma then produced a point blank save deep into stoppage time to deny Bryan Mbeumo an equalizer and preserve the win. United actually had more of the ball, finishing with 55 percent possession to City's 45, though City edged shots on target 3-2 and the expected goals were almost level.

WHAT IT MEANS

The result was a particularly tough one for Michael Carrick, working his first home derby since being confirmed as United's permanent manager, as his side's slow start to the season continues. For City and new manager Enzo Maresca, who took over from Pep Guardiola earlier this year, winning at Old Trafford with ten men for the majority of the match is an early statement result as they sit alone at the top of the table after four rounds.

PUNDIT REACTION

Reaction to the Foden red card split British television pundits. Wayne Rooney and Roy Keane argued the sending off was harsh given Fernandes' initial foul went unpunished, while Gary Neville and Danny Murphy said the decision was correct once Foden kicked out at an opponent, regardless of what preceded it.