Manchester City should have been reduced to 10 men in their Premier League clash against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, Ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has claimed.
City welcomed Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium for a game of epic proportions. Pep Guardiola's side needed to pick up a win to keep their title aspirations alive, while Arsenal knew all three points would be monumental in their bid to become English champions for the first time since 2005.
It was the home side that picked up a vital three points. Rayan Cherki gave City the lead in the 16th minute, only for Kai Havertz to equalise moments after the restart following Gianluigi Donnarumma's huge error.
Erling Haaland restored City's lead once more in the second half and the Citizens held on to take all three points and ensure the title race was very much alive.
Keith Hackett: Abdukodir Khusanov Was Lucky to Escape Red Card
Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov dribbles.
Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov during the UEFA Champions League, league phase match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Picture date: Tuesday November 25, 2025. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images/Alamy Images/Sipa USA)
There was a controversial moment in the second half when Kai Havertz went to ground when through on goal following a challenge from City defender Khusanov.
Anthony Taylor did not believe the contact warranted a foul, though, and waved playing on, leaving Havertz and his Arsenal teammates incensed.
Ex-PGMOL chief Hackett has now reviewed the incident, and he believes a foul should have been given and Khusanov shown a red card. He told Football Insider:
“An Arsenal player was in an attacking position heading for his opponent’s goal, chased down by a Manchester City defender who used his arm to prevent progress. The result, the Arsenal player feeling contact goes to ground rather easily.
“At this point, Anthony Taylor awarded a free-kick and then there is no doubt in my mind that the denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity has clearly taken place and that would have resulted in a red card for the Manchester City player.
“On reviewing the video, I think the Manchester City player is rather fortunate not to have been dismissed and Anthony Taylor not viewing this as a foul and hence the denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.”
Gabriel Should Also Have Seen Red, Says Hackett
Gabriel and Erling Haaland
Gabriel and Erling Haaland
Hackett also believes Gabriel should have been sent off following a clash with Erling Haaland in the second half. He said:
“Referee Anthony Taylor took a very lenient view when Gabriel used his forehead against his opponent. The starting point of course is that both he and Haaland were facing each other with foreheads touching, but Gabriel’s movement was sufficient to warrant a red card.”
Mark Clattenburg shares that opinion. Speaking to Arsenal Insider, he said: "Gabriel is very fortunate not to receive a red card for violent conduct for an attempted head butt on Erling Haaland.
“When both players put their heads together, I would expect two yellow cards for adopting an aggressive attitude. But when Gabriel makes a clear movement of his head again, then a red card should have been shown even if contact was not made.”
Man City are now three points behind Arsenal at the top of the Premier League and will leapfrog their title rivals should they beat Burnley on Wednesday evening.