Ruben Dias of Manchester City attempts to help Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United to his feet
A challenge by Man City's Ruben Dias on Man United's Rasmus Hojlund was one of the Manchester derby's flashpoints (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has agreed with all three penalty decisions made by Anthony Taylor during Sunday's Manchester derby - two of which involved United striker Rasmus Hojlund.
Ruben Amorim's side won't be too hung up on any decisions that did not go their way at the Etihad Stadium, after coming away with the win. They left it late as Bruno Fernandes struck with a spot-kick before Amad hit a stoppage-time winner.
But that does not change the fact Taylor was kept busy throughout the affair, including the three calls on possible penalties.
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The first was shortly before Josko Gvardiol scored the opener for City, during a corner situation that saw Hojlund grapple with opposition striker Erling Haaland. Gallagher explained how the Dane just about stayed on the correct side of the threshold.
"If you look at Hojlund, never once looking at the ball. What helps him here is that both are grappling. Haaland doesn’t go down here and if you watch, Haaland grabs him around the neck," he told Sky Sports' Ref Watch.
The irony of the situation was also pointed out, as Gallagher believes it actually resulted in Man City's goal.
"I think the referee saw that then at the next corner the same two player started. He stopped the corner, spoke to Haaland and Hojlund saying ‘look, can’t have this'. Hojlund decides to let go of him and ironically City score from it."
In the second-half, Hojlund was involved in a much bigger storm. Bursting into the opposition's box, he went down under the challenge of Ruben Dias, but appeals for a penalty were ignored.
"I didn’t think it was a penalty - I still don’t. I really don’t," Gallagher agreed. "The defender goes to play the ball, Hojlund sees him coming and he goes down. I think it looks so much worse in slow motion."
Pressed by pundits Stephen Warnock and Sue Smith, who argued it was the wrong decision, the former official added: "I just thought Hojlund was happy to go down, he wasn’t really interested in chasing the ball. His knees buckle. No [I am not going to change my mind]."
The last big penalty call saw United awarded a spot kick after Amad took the ball into Man City's territory and was hacked down by Matheus Nunes attempting to recover.
"I think even the player who did this thought it was a penalty. I don’t know why he did it because he didn’t have to. If he’s going to give a penalty, that’s the easiest one he’ll ever have," Gallagher stated.