Photo via BBC Sport

'Let's go, let's go' - inside catastrophic derby VAR mistake

Audio transcripts from Manchester City's 1-0 victory over Manchester United show video assistant referee Matt Donohue repeatedly demanding haste during a crucial review of Erling Haaland's decider. Rushing into the semi-automated offside system directly after Josko Gvardiol's cross rather than surveying the entire box sequence, Donohue and assistant Blake Antrobus missed an offside Enzo Fernandez stationed three yards ahead of play as he attempted a header.

City manager Enzo Maresca voiced understanding regarding the rapid turnaround demanded of referees, even as the missed infraction drew intense criticism.

The blunder comes amid a concerted effort by the league and refereeing leader Howard Webb to answer stakeholder feedback prioritizing quicker interventions, a campaign that trimmed match delays from 46 seconds down to 36 seconds this season. However, haste has also been linked to the league's only other recognized VAR blunder this term, in which Arsenal were denied a penalty against Aston Villa.