Ex-PGMOL chief: VAR should have disallowed City winner
Manchester City’s victory over Arsenal has intensified the Premier League title race but much of the post-match focus has centered on a controversial refereeing call rather than the result itself.
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has questioned whether City’s winning goal should have stood, arguing that a foul in the buildup was missed by officials and VAR.
Speaking to Football Insider, Hackett said the decisive moment involving Erling Haaland and Gabriel Magalhaes should have been penalized. As a cross came into the box, the two players were engaged in a physical battle, with Haaland appearing to pull Gabriel’s shirt before scoring.
“Clearly this holding offence by Haaland impacted on the Arsenal player's ability to defend the ball going in the back of the net,” Hackett said. “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.”
Read also: Szoboszlai sends Liverpool a clear message on his future
The incident was not widely criticized during the match itself, with attention instead focused on other flashpoints. Referee Anthony Taylor’s decision not to send off Gabriel following a clash with Haaland drew significant debate, as did an earlier moment when Kai Havertz went to ground under pressure from Abdukodir Khusanov a call that officials allowed to continue.
Haaland, however, dismissed any controversy surrounding his goal when speaking to Sky Sports. Reflecting on his physical duel with Gabriel, he framed the moment as part of the game’s intensity.
“I was quite happy to be honest, it was a great moment for me and a great win,” he said. “It's always like this, a lot of fighting and these kind of things, so what can you say? Of course I won that battle in that decisive moment because I sccred the goal. I think it was a great goal, a decisive moment and in the end we win.”
The forward’s remarks underline how central the physical contest between the two players was throughout the match.
Read also: Richard Keys questions Arteta’s future as Arsenal face defining stretch in title race
Beyond the controversy, the result carries major implications for the title race. City are now within three points of Arsenal and still have a game in hand an opportunity that could see Pep Guardiola’s side move ahead when they face Burnley.
With margins at the top so tight, decisions like this are likely to face continued scrutiny as the season approaches its conclusion.
Sources: Football Insider, Sky Sports
Read also: Haaland shows scars on body after duel with Gabriel: Premier League title in range
Read also: Hull v United in 1970: The night football found a new way to break ties
