In the Manchester derby there were two huge calls and, again, VAR somehow managed to get both wrong. Well, the first was at the very least morally wrong as opposed to totally wrong by the letter of the law.
Bruno Fernandes sneakily kicked Phil Foden while the Manchester City man was defenceless on the ground. That should have been a clear yellow card or maybe a red, but the officials back at Stockley Park either ignored it or didn’t see it. Out of anger, Foden actioned his knee towards Fernandes’ stomach, without catching him in any meaningful way.
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The referee saw this as violent conduct after the Manchester United player writhed around in what looked suspiciously like feigned agony. This was precisely the sort of behaviour the new rules are trying to stop. Foden had the common decency not to do this when he was kicked but paid the price for his honesty.
A booking for both would have sufficed, but Fernandes was exonerated while Foden exited. Foden was foolish but not violent and the VAR should have helped the referee.
Fortunately, the football gods were watching over the officials again and presented City with Erling Haaland’s winning goal to recalibrate the moral imbalance, but once again VAR managed to get it wrong, as has now been admitted.
Spotting that Haaland was onside was brilliant officiating. I thought he was well offside even after three or four viewings, so well done on that call, lads.
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Unfortunately, they managed to miss the glaringly obvious offside in the same move when Enzo Fernandez clearly put Lisandro Martinez off his defending duties. This was a stunning oversight in such a huge moment. No player or former player would fail to see that this was a clear infringement.
For those of us who habitually defend VAR, it was a dark weekend even if they do still get many more right over a season than they get wrong.
As for fairness, happily it won through in the end. United fans may grumble, but going down to 10 men galvanised City.
Bruno’s theatricals didn’t win the game, they contributed to them losing the derby.
Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you’re outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.
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