Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett believes Manchester City were lucky to pick up all three points against Arsenal in their title showdown at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday – because the winning goal should not have stood.
There were a number of big talking points during the match, with the decision by referee Anthony Taylor not to send off Gabriel Magalhaes for an apparent headbutt on Erling Haaland probably the biggest of them all.
But there were a number of other big moments. Nothing was given when Kai Havertz was sent running through the middle and went down in a tangle with Abdukodir Khusanov. It was the right decision, although there was some consternation from certain quarters about the lack of a free-kick and a red card for the Man City man.
Not many people were talking about any problems with the City winning goal, however. Former PGMOL chief Hackett, though, thinks it should not have stood.
A ball across the box from Nico O’Reilly was missed by Rodri before Haaland swept home with his left foot.
Haaland had been involved in a titanic tussle with Gabriel for much of the match – leading to that potential red card incident in the 83rd minute – and things were no different at the moment of that winning strike, with Haaland having a fistful of the Brazilian defender’s shirt.
Gabriel also had his hands on Haaland, with the incident accepted in the main as being fair for both of them.
Hackett did not agree, though. Speaking to Football Insider (via GIVEMESPORT) he said:”Clearly this holding offence by Haaland impacted on the Arsenal player’s ability to defend the ball going in the back of the net. Maybe not seen by the referee, but should have been picked up by VAR, goal ruled out, free-kick to Arsenal. Amazing that this has been missed.”
City are now in pole position to move to the top of the league table if they beat Burnley on Wednesday.
