10-man City stun United at Old Trafford to stay perfect in the Premier League

Manchester City held off ten-man adversity of their own making to beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday, moving to a perfect four wins from four in the Premier League. Erling Haaland’s 60th-minute finish and a crucial late save from Gianluigi Donnarumma were the decisive moments in a derby that City controlled despite playing the final hour with ten men.

Phil Foden was dismissed on 23 minutes after lashing out at Bruno Fernandes, a moment that handed United a numerical advantage they were unable to exploit. Fernandes, who escaped punishment himself for his role in the incident, saw his side struggle to create clear openings against a City side that grew in confidence as the half wore on.

Haaland broke the deadlock by steering home Josko Gvardiol’s cross, a goal initially ruled out for offside before VAR intervened to award it. Pro Ref subsequently confirmed that the Stockley Park officials had made an error in the original call, though City’s overall performance meant the fortune felt earned.

United’s best chance came deep in stoppage time when Donnarumma produced a fine save to deny Bryan Mbeumo, a stop that underlined the resilience Enzo Maresca has instilled in his side since taking charge.

The result leaves City and Arsenal as the only two clubs with 100 per cent Premier League records after four rounds of fixtures. Arsenal top the table on goal difference, their advantage built on a 2-0 win at Sunderland on Saturday. City’s title credentials under Maresca — who replaced the departed Pep Guardiola in the summer — had been questioned after a flat showing against Arsenal in the Community Shield, but back-to-back wins over top-flight opposition have quietened those doubts for now.

City’s schedule offers little respite. They host Sunderland in the league before the three-week international break, after which they travel to Anfield to face Liverpool — a fixture that will provide a sharper measure of where Maresca’s side genuinely stand in the title race.