Manchester City pissed as VAR ‘joke’ fuels Manchester United win, Brighton rocks Liverpool



Manchester United bounced back for a dramatic 2-1 win over Manchester City that left their top rivals infuriated by VAR’s controversial decision to allow Bruno Fernandez to equalize while a troubled Liverpool were defeated by ” Brighton 3-0 on Saturday.

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On a dramatic day in the Premier League, Everton boss Frank Lampard found himself closer to the bag as his struggling team lost 2-1 to relegation rivals Southampton.

With just 12 minutes left at Old Trafford, United fell behind Jack Grealish’s 60th-minute header in the second Manchester derby of the season.

But City’s title defense suffered a devastating blow when Portugal midfielder Fernandes equalized in a highly controversial manner before Marcus Rashford scored United’s winning goal in the 82nd minute.

Fernandes’ goal was a turning point and City boss Josep Guardiola and his players were furious after the flag went up for offside when Rashford ran for a pass from Casemiro.

Rashford did not touch the ball and VAR considered that he did not interfere with the game, but the “townspeople” were adamant: the England striker was clearly distracting the defenders and goalkeeper Ederson.

“The first goal is a joke to be missed,” City defender Manuel Akanji told BBC Sport.

“He runs 30 meters, chasing the ball. In the situation, I played him (Rashford) offside. I understand that he does not touch the ball, but for me it is clearly offside.”

Guardiola insisted that Rashford’s run had no doubt influenced the reactions of Akanji and Ederson.

“The decision is up to the referee, VAR, but our defenders are lining up a line on Rashford,” he said.

“If we know it’s Fernandes, we don’t make a line, we follow the action, and after the action, Ederson’s intervention.”

Third-placed United are now just one point behind second-placed City, who are in danger of losing a significant position in this week’s title race.

The Arsenal leaders’ victory over north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday would put the Gunners eight points clear.

While City are cracking, United are in great shape after their ninth straight win in all competitions.

Asked if they are in the race for the title, boss Erik ten Hag said: “The fans may dream, but we are not. We’ve gotten better, that’s obvious. There is still a long way to go.”

– Gloomy Liverpool –

Liverpool’s hopes of rescuing the top four in a difficult campaign were hit hard when Brighton triumphed on the south coast.

Dominating the first half without a break, Brighton deservedly took the lead in the 47th minute.

Joel Matip casually passed the ball to Alexis McAllister, who found Kaworu Mitoma, whose cross was perfectly balanced for the nameless Solly March.

Liverpool were in disarray and six minutes later March landed a beautiful shot into the far corner from the box.

Danny Welbeck completed the win with a March pass over Joe Gomez and a volley.

Having been beaten by Brentford in the previous league game, Liverpool are languishing in eighth place, seven points behind the top four and looking like a shadow of a team that nearly won the top four last season.

Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals Everton found themselves in an even tougher position after Southampton’s 2-1 win over Goodison Park.

Everton’s board of directors did not attend the game due to “a real and real threat to their safety”.

Everton chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale was reportedly mistreated by a fan and her car was attacked following a 4-1 home defeat to Brighton last week.

Everton have won just one of their last 13 matches in all competitions, with banners and flags urging off the pitch unfurled before kick-off.

Southampton fell behind in the 39th minute as Amadou Onana headed home from Demarai Grey’s corner.

But less than two minutes into the second half, James Ward-Prowse saved a Che Adams knockdown on the edge of the penalty area to equalize with Southampton.

Ward-Prowse hurt even more in the 78th minute when one of his trademark free kicks hit Jordan Pickford.

Southampton remain at the bottom of the table, but they are now trailing second-placed Everton only on goal difference.

West Ham are in last place in the bottom three after a 1-0 loss to Wolves that saw the hosts outpace the hapless Hammers.

Daniel Podens scored in the 48th minute to leave West Ham without a win in their last seven league matches.

Brennan Johnson scored twice as Nottingham Forest beat Leicester 2-0 at the City Ground.