\n<\/p>\n
Man City striker Erling Haaland thinks Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes would have been sent off if he\u2019d fallen on the floor after being headbutted.<\/p>\n
Haaland scored the winning goal in the second half to give Man City<\/strong> all three points after Kai Havertz had cancelled out Rayan Cherki\u2019s earlier strike.<\/p>\n The Citizens are now just three points behind Arsenal in the Premier League table and will go top of the table if they win their game in hand against Burnley on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n Towards the end of the match, a physical battle between Haaland and Arsenal<\/strong> defender Gabriel spilled over when the Norwegian pushed the Brazilian when play had stopped.<\/p>\n Both players went head to head before Gabriel flung his head forward towards Haaland, in what would normally be seen as violent conduct.<\/p>\n However, the referee only produced a yellow card with Haaland staying on his feet and many pundits and fans were shocked at the leniency of the decision.<\/p>\n READ: <\/span>16 Conclusions from Man City 2-1 Arsenal: Cherki, Bernardo, Haaland, O\u2019Reilly, bottle<\/strong><\/p>\n The Premier League explained the decision in a statement: \u201cThe referee\u2019s call of no red card was checked and confirmed by VAR \u2013 with the action from Gabriel deemed not to be excessively aggressive or violent.\u201d<\/p>\n Haaland made it clear to Sky Sports in the aftermath of the match that he reckons the decision could have been different if he\u2019d made a meal of it.<\/p>\n The Man City striker said: \u201cI think if I fell on the floor there, which I would not do unless someone really attacks me, I think maybe it would be a red card. I\u2019m not sure. I haven\u2019t seen the situation to be honest but it is what it is. I will not fall on the floor as easy as this. Yellow card for me, I don\u2019t know why. He (Gabriel) comes up to my face, it is what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n Adding on his disbelief at the incident, Haaland told Viaplay<\/em>: \u201cShould I tell the referee? Doesn\u2019t matter. Look at this, what is this?! (It\u2019s not football), I know.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked about referee Anthony Taylor\u2019s explanation, Haaland said:\u00a0\u201cHe says it\u2019s both (of our fault). That\u2019s what he says all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked if he\u2019d done anything to provoke the Arsenal defender, he continued: \u201cNo, I didn\u2019t. I would never do something like that\u2026 Okay maybe sometimes! But no I didn\u2019t do anything.’\u201d<\/p>\n MORE MAN CITY VS ARSENAL COVERAGE ON F365\u2026<\/strong> Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey agreed with Taylor\u2019s decision with both players showing \u201can aggressive attitude towards each other\u201d.<\/p>\n Halsey told The Sun<\/em>: \u201cIt\u2019s subjective. Some will say yes, some will say no and I thought on balance, the decision to give two yellow cards was correct.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you look at Haaland, I think he\u2019s done Gabriel a massive favour by staying on his feet.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve seen in previous games where players have gone down and obviously the red card has been shown and they\u2019ve served a three-match ban.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Gabriel\u2019s got a lot to thank Haaland for.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Anthony Taylor got that right, two yellow cards for adopting an aggressive attitude towards each other.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought it was correct not to show a red card to Gabriel.\u201d<\/p>\n Manchester United legend\u00a0Gary Neville couldn\u2019t believe that Arsenal centre-back Gabriel wasn\u2019t shown a straight red card after throwing his head forward towards Haaland.<\/p>\n Neville said on Sky Sports: \u201cNow why did you do that, Gabriel?<\/p>\n \u201cYou can put your heads against each other, I got done in a game a long time ago, the moment you throw it forward you get a red.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t believe that\u2019s not a red to be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/div>\n
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