City’s 1-0 derby victory over United has returned (again) to the spotlight following the release of the VAR audio surrounding Erling Haaland’s winning goal.
Referees’ chief Howard Webb has acknowledged that the goal should have been disallowed because Enzo Fernandez was offside and interfered with play before Haaland scored. The conversation between the officials has now revealed how the incident was reviewed.
Rushed VAR audio overshadows Manchester City’s derby win over rivals
VAR Matt Donohue was initially checking an on-field decision that Haaland himself was offside. Semi-automated technology established that the Norwegian was onside, leaving the officials to check the remainder of the attacking phase.
The audio captures Donohue repeatedly asking for the footage to be moved through quickly.
“Quick, quick, quick, quick! Go, go, go, go, go!”
Donohue checked whether Fernandez had touched the ball but failed to consider whether the midfielder had committed an offside offence by interfering with an opponent.
Offside missed as video officials push for speedy review
Assistant VAR Blake Antrobus was also involved in the check before Donohue communicated the decision to referee Michael Oliver.
“Final decision is goal. Check complete.”
Webb subsequently said the VAR had become “super-focused” on Haaland’s position and developed “tunnel vision”, with Fernandez’s involvement not properly considered.
The midfielder did not touch the ball, but his attempt to play it from an offside position interfered with an opponent. Webb has therefore confirmed that the goal should have been disallowed, although City’s 1-0 victory stands.
Premier League speed targets clash with decision accuracy in 65th VAR outing
The incident comes amid the Premier League’s attempts to make VAR more efficient and reduce delays.
Average VAR delays have fallen this season, but what happened at Old Trafford shows the difficulty of combining quicker reviews with the need to examine every relevant part of a complicated attacking phase.
Donohue was an experienced video official, with the Manchester derby his 65th Premier League VAR appointment. In this instance, however, Webb has accepted that an important part of the check was missed.
What rushed decisions mean for Manchester City and refereeing standards
For City, little changes. Enzo Maresca’s side retain the three points from a derby victory secured despite playing for more than an hour with 10 men following Phil Foden’s red card.
They also continue to deal with the title race pressure that accompanies their strong start, having already shown they can be backed to respond in difficult situations.
There is nothing in the released conversation to suggest bias or wrongdoing. Instead, it shows how an experienced VAR became focused on one aspect of the incident and failed to consider another before the check was completed.
The full audio released by BBC Sport reveals exactly how the review unfolded and why Webb has since acknowledged that United had grounds for complaint.
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