VAR controversy decides Manchester derby as City keep pace with Arsenal

Manchester City beat Manchester United at Old Trafford after Erling Haaland's controversial goal was wrongly allowed to stand.

The video officials responsible for the error were stood down, The Guardian reported on 14 September 2026. VAR, the video assistant referee system, is meant to catch exactly that kind of mistake on replay. This time it did not.

City's win kept them in step with Arsenal at the top end of the Premier League. Arsenal beat Sunderland, again with a debatable decision in the mix.

That double helping of controversy is the starting point for the latest Football Weekly. The Football Weekly video, titled 'VAR controversy decides Manchester derby as City keep pace with Arsenal', was published on 14 September 2026. It runs for 56:16 and looks back over the weekend's Premier League action.

Max Rushden hosts the episode. He is joined by Barry Glendenning, Barney Ronay and John Brewin. The Guardian timestamped publication as Mon 14 Sep 2026 18.37 CEST.

The panel dig into the derby first. How did the officials miss it? What happens next for United after another defeat by their neighbours? And can City keep finding a way to win when the margins are that tight?

Arsenal's victory gets the same treatment. The discussion turns to Sunderland's complaint and whether Arsenal are learning to win ugly as well as well.

For fans, this is familiar territory. A derby goal that sparks arguments in pubs and group chats. A Monday show trying to make sense of it all.

An audio version of the episode, 'VAR controversy decides Manchester derby as City keep pace with Arsenal – Football Weekly', is also available. Listeners can find Football Weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and the show's official YouTube channel.