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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Stephen Killen

Ex-Premier League referee ends debate surrounding controversial Man City penalty vs Arsenal

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes Stuart Attwell made the right decision to award Manchester City a penalty against Arsenal.

The incident occurred shortly before the hour mark with the Gunners in front after Bukayo Saka's opener in the first half.

Bernardo Silva ran into the box manoeuvring onto his left before twisting onto his right towards the dead-ball line before he appears to be tripped by Granit Xhaka.

The Switzerland international was caught flat-footed and whilst trying to readjust himself he dangled out a left leg before leaving a desperate left arm out and appearing to grab a piece of the Portugal international's shirt.

Attwell, the match official, originally denied City the penalty before he was instructed to view the incident on the monitor and changed his decision prompting anger around the Emirates Stadium.

"I think yes. I think Xhaka once Bernardo Silva's past him he's got a clear run, Xhaka puts his leg across," he told Sky Sports.

"He [Xhaka] squares him off and I think he catches him with his leg if you watch at the same time he's alright reaching for his shirt, grabs his shirt and the combination of both, for me it's a penalty.

"[Why didn't they stick with the on-field decision?] Because I think there was the combination of both, I think when you look at this he's [Silva] past, Xhaka's taken a chance with leg, grabbed him by the shirt held it a long time I feel the combination of the two, it's a penalty."

Riyad Mahrez scored the resulting spot-kick and moments later the hosts were reduced to 10-men as Gabriel was shown a second yellow after bundling into the Gabriel Jesus, hauling the Brazilian attacker down in the process.

In stoppage time, Rodri dramatically clinched the points after stabbing home the winner following a searching in-swinging delivery from Kevin de Bruyne ricocheted into his path.

We’ve teamed up with LiveScore to invite fans to vote for their favourite results - the games which were much more than a score. Vote for the match that mattered to you here .

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