Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and striker Erling Haaland have called on Premier League officials to make more human decisions after a chaotic ending to the club’s win over Liverpool on Sunday.
After finding themselves a goal down – 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 poked home past Alisson with five minutes left to play, before Erling Haaland converted a penalty in stoppage time after Matheus Nunes was fouled in the box.
But the drama did not stop there. With Liverpool piling bodies forwards, City broke, with Rayan Cherki firing a strike towards goal with Alisson having joined the attack.
Haaland was racing through, looking like he was there to tap in a third, before being tugged back by Szoboszlai. Referee Craig Pawson waved advantage, before Haaland returned the favour as the ball crossed the line.
Initially, the goal was given, but after a VAR check, Pawson was instructed to rule it out and instead send Szoboszlai off.
The reaction from fans, pundits and the players were all to disagree, with Guardiola and Haaland admitting the goal should have been allowed to stand, and Liverpool remain with 10 men.
City’s head coach said: “It was a brilliant advert for the Premier League. First half was really good and we lost a bit of momentum in the second half.
“Anfield can feel like that. After that, we played more direct and after that we lost the ball and we were so passive. What a strike from Szoboszlai and after that, led by our captain Bernardo, we come back.
“The spirit has been there and in general the first half was really good and second half a bit of fatigue. Omar and Erling were passive and that’s why we struggled.”
Haaland was also sympathetic to the Liverpool man. He added: “Come on referee, give goal and go home!
“I think for me, the referee of course 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 this is how it is.
“I said to the referee just give the goal. That’s what everyone wanted and I hope that he only gets a maximum of 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.”
