Kyle Walker and Rasmus Hojlund sparked handbags during the Manchester derby as the Manchester City captain hit the deck clutching his face in the first-half
17:19, 15 Dec 2024Updated 17:32, 15 Dec 2024
Kyle Walker and Rasmus Hojlund sparked a mass brawl in the Manchester derby.
Hojlund and Walker had been challenging for the ball just moments after Josko Gvardiol had headed Manchester City ahead. The Englishman shoved over the Manchester United star - which prompted an aggressive response from the Dane.
Walker and Hojlund went head-to-head, before the City captain hit the deck clutching his face. Furious City players charged over to come to the aid of Walker as tensions boiled over at the Etihad Stadium.
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VAR checked if there was any foul play in the scenario - but drew a blank after replays showed minimal contact between the two rivals. Gary Neville, who was on commentary for Sky Sports, joked Walker would be "embarrassed" in the morning.
He said: "It's poor from Kyle Walker. He goes down when he realises there might have been contact. I think he will be a little bit embarrassed when he sees that back."
Walker was also slammed by Roy Keane in the Sky Sports studio, who said he was "embarrassed for him". While Micah Richards agreed with his colleague, adding that Walker is "better than that".
The flashpoint came after Gvardiol kicked a drab encounter into life.
United had been absorbing pressure from their hated neighbours, when Pep Guardiola's side won a corner. Kevin De Bruyne was dealt a huge but of luck when his cross deflected off Amad Diallo, sitting up perfectly for Gvardiol to power past a stranded Andre Onana.
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"It's not blown us away, this first half. There haven't been many saves for the goalkeepers or chances after chances," Leon Osman said on BBC Radio 5 Live. "Both teams are tactically trying to beat each other but Manchester City will be delighted at being ahead at the break."