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Manchester City Boss Pep Guardiola and striker Erling Haaland have called Premier League Officers make more humane decisions after the chaotic end Club win over Liverpool on sunday.
After going a goal down themselves – courtesy of another stunning Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick – City completed a remarkable turnaround at Anfield, winning there for only the second time in the last 10 years.
Bernardo Silva beat Alisson with five minutes to play, Matthews Nunes converting after Erling Haaland was fouled in the box in stoppage time.
But the drama didn’t stop there. With bodies piled up ahead of Liverpool, City broke, Ryan Cherky headed goalwards and Alisson joined the attack.
Haaland raced on, looking like he was about to tap into third place, before being held back by Szoboszlai. Referee Craig Pawson took advantage, before Haaland returned the favor as the ball crossed the line.
Initially, the goal was awarded, but after a VAR review, Pawson was instructed to disallow it and Zoboszlai was sent off instead.
Reaction from fans, pundits and players all disagreed, with Guardiola and Haaland conceding that the goal should have been allowed to stand, and Liverpool to stay with 10 men.
The City head coach said: “It was a great advertisement for the Premier League. The first half was really good and we lost a bit of momentum in the second half.
“Anfield can feel that. After that, we played more direct and then we lost the ball and we were too passive. What a strike from Szoboszlai and then, led by our captain Bernardo, we come back.
“The spirit has been there and in general the first half was really good and the second half was a bit tired. Omar and Erling were passive and that’s why we struggled.”
Helland also sympathized with the Liverpool man. He added: “Come on referee, award the goal and go home!
“I think for me, the referee has to follow the rules but this will give him three games. I feel bad for him. Just let it be a goal. But those are the rules and that’s the way it is.
“I told the referee to just give the goal. That’s what everyone wanted and I hope he gets the maximum in just one game because I know you need to follow the rules but for me, just use common sense. For me, you need to follow the rules so I respect the referee.”
