Haaland fires 10-man City to derby win

FOOTBALL: Erling Haaland fired 10-man Manchester City to a memorable 1-0 victory over Manchester United yesterday (Sept 13) despite Phil Foden's first-half red card to extend a perfect start to Enzo Maresca's reign.

Erling Haaland runs at the Manchester United defence. Photo: AFP

Foden kicked out at United captain Bruno Fernandes on 23 minutes to give the visitors a mountain to climb.

But a new-look City were up to the challenge as the near £250 million (B11.2 billion) midfield pairing of Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez proved their worth.

Haaland’s winner was laced with controversy as Fernandez was deemed not to be interfering with play when he attempted to head in before the ball reached the Norwegian.

"It’s worrying, if that’s really how it is, if that’s how the game is seen by those who are officiating it," said United boss Michael Carrick. "I just don’t get it, I really don’t get it, I can’t understand them."

Defeat compounds a miserable Premier League start for United as they are already eight points adrift of City and defending champions Arsenal.

By contrast, victory was a huge statement for Maresca to quell fears of a major drop-off from City following Pep Guardiola’s trophy-laden decade in charge.

"It’s a kind of new experience to win with 10 men. It’s amazing, I have to be honest," said Haaland.

The visitors had made the better start in the opening quarter but looked to have been completely undone by Foden’s ill discipline.

City will argue that Fernandes should also have seen red as he fouled Foden and then seemed to kick him in the back.

But there was little case for Foden’s defence as he retaliated by throwing both legs up into Fernandes’s midriff.

"I think Foden’s red card is a red card, but I also think that in the same action it’s a red card for them," said Maresca.

After a battle for the title went down to the final week of last season, Arsenal and City look a class apart from the competition once more.

Defending Premier League champions Arsenal beat Sunderland 2-0 on Saturday thanks to a Bruno Guimaraes strike and a Bukayo Saka penalty.

Both City and the Gunners are locked on 12 points with Chelsea, Liverpool and United already cut adrift.

Elsewhere, Hull held free-scoring Chelsea 2-2 at Stamford Bridge to go third in the table.

It was a familiar tale for Chelsea as the front three of Morgan Rogers, Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer dazzled, but the Blues were undone by an inability to defend.

In five games against top-flight opposition since Xabi Alonso took charge, Chelsea have scored 16 times and conceded 12.

Despite Rogers giving the hosts the lead, a Mohamed Belloumi brace put the Tigers ahead before Palmer equalised.

It means Hull’s honeymoon back in the Premier League goes on with only defending champions Arsenal and Manchester City above them in the table.

Liverpool remain unbeaten under Andoni Iraola but there were boos at Anfield after Fulham held the Reds to a 0-0 draw,

Indeed it was Fulham who had the better chances to take all three points as Gonzalo Garcia missed a glorious opportunity in the first half and Alisson Becker produced a brilliant save to deny Josh King the winner.

Aston Villa are rooted in the relegation zone after Nottingham Forest exacted revenge with a 2-1 win at Villa Park.

Villa beat their Midlands rivals in the Europa League semi-finals last season on their way to lifting a first trophy for 30 years.

However, second half strikes from Liam Delap and Igor Jesus saw the home side fall and secured Oliver Glasner’s first win as Forest boss.

Brentford remain unbeaten thanks to Kevin Schade’s double in a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth, while Tottenham are still looking to kickstart their league season following a frustrating 0-0 draw with Everton which left Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi apologising to fans for his side’s performance.