Abdukodir Khusanov challenge vs Brentford
Credit: Sky Sports
Oliver Walton
Wed 17 December 2025 21:23, UK
Man City defender Abdukodir Khusanov should have seen red for a challenge on Brentford’s Kevin Schade as the two sides faced off in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
That is according to ex-PGMOL general manager Keith Hackett, who has exclusively told Football Insider that the Uzbekistan international denied a clear goalscoring opportunity for Schade and so should have sent off.
Man City and Brentford met at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night as they each aimed to go one step closer to silverware in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Pep Guardiola rang the changes in City’s starting eleven, with versatile defender Khusanov handed his eighth start of the season at centre-back next to Nathan Ake.
Goals in either half from Rayan Cherki and Savinho saw the hosts come away with a 2-0 win, but they could have been a man down early on as Khusanov got away with a challenge on Schade as he raced through on goal.
Abdukodir Khusanov Man City
Abdukodir Khusanov has struggled (Credit Imago)
Khusanov was booked after taking Schade down as he ran through on goal
Khusanov has struggled at Man City since his January move from Lens, and this was another game in which he looked shaky at the back despite them being favourites to win on home turf.
The incident that could have seen him sent off came about as Bees centre-back Kristoffer Ajer lofted a pass over City’s backline in the 15th minute and found the onrushing Schade, who was duly taken down by Khusanov.
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The Germany international was in-behind both Khusanov and Ake as he took the ball down, but referee Sam Barrott saw fit to only show the 21-year-old a yellow card for his challenge.
Brentford’s players were incensed at the decision not to send Khusanov off for denying a goal scoring opportunity, but the decision could not be reviewed or overturned as VAR is not introduced to Carabao Cup matches until the semi-final stage.
Hackett slams Barrott for incorrect Khusanov call – ‘clear and obvious error’
City have recent experience of controversial DOGSO (denial of a goal or obvious scoring opportunity) decisions in cup games after Dean Henderson was not sent off in their FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace in May, despite taking Erling Haaland down as he rushed through on goal.
That call may have gone against them, but former FIFA referee Hackett has told Football Insider that they are the lucky ones this time around, as Khusanov should have seen red instead of yellow.
He said: “When this offence (takes) place just outside the penalty area, the referee goes through a denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity process and asks himself if the criteria for DOGSO has been fulfilled.
Ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett in the stands at a game.
Credit: Getty Images
“The following must be considered: distance between the offence and the goal, general direction of the play, likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball, location and number of defenders.
“I am satisfied that the criteria for DOGSO has been fulfilled, and rather surprised that the referee (has) shown the yellow card.
*“It is a clear and obvious error by the referee. The player committing the offence should have been sent off.*“