Ex-Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg agreed with VAR's decision to allow Fabinho's goal for Liverpool - but thinks the explanation of why it was given is wrong.
The Brazilian opened the scoring with a rocket of a strike 22 seconds after the ball had struck Trent Alexander-Arnold's hand in the Reds penalty area.
A subsequent check was conducted by VAR officials at Stockley Park which advised it was not a 'deliberate handball' by the full-back.
The decision to let the strike stand left Pep Guardiola and his side furious. However, Clattenburg thinks the right decision was made but for the wrong reason.
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The former official told the MailOnline: "VAR and Michael Oliver made the correct call in allowing Fabinho's early goal to stand, although I disagree with the reasoning the Premier League have provided."
An official statement released during the match read: "The VAR checked the penalty appeal for handball against Trent Alexander-Arnold and confirmed the on-field decision that it did not meet the considerations for a deliberate handball."
Clattenburg argued: "There were strong suggestions at the time that the effort should be disallowed and a penalty awarded to Manchester City because Trent Alexander-Arnold had handled at the other end moments before the goal.
"However, it is the arm of Manchester City forward Bernardo Silva that deflects the ball onto Alexander-Arnold and that is why, for me, play should not be brought back.
"If Silva's arm does not divert the ball, then yes, I believe a penalty should have been awarded as Alexander-Arnold's arm is in an unnatural position and he is using it to make himself bigger.
"That is why I do not understand the Premier League explanation that it was not a deliberate handball."
Liverpool's 3-1 win has seen them go nine points clear of Man City, who following defeat sit fourth behind Leicester City and Chelsea who are second and third respectively.
