Phil Foden was on the receiving end of a challenge from Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson that left the Manchester City player rolling around in pain
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Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest is challenged by Phil Foden of Manchester City during their Premier League match
Phil Foden felt the full force of an Elliot Anderson challenge during the first half of Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City
(Image: Getty Images)
VAR is said to have deemed a challenge on Phil Foden by Elliot Anderson during the first half of Manchester City's 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest a 'normal kicking action'.
Match referee Chris Kavanagh did not even show the Forest midfielder a yellow card for the tackle that left Foden rolling around on the City Ground pitch. It appears a VAR check occurred, presumably for a possible red card.
However, video assistant referee Darren England and his assistant Akil Howson seemingly did not determine Kavanagh had made an obvious mistake. Foden continued after the challenge, but Kevin De Bruyne later replaced him.
Joleon Lescott, though, thought the replays of the incident made it look worse than on first viewing.
"Initially, I thought it was just a block tackle; the impact from that would have hurt Phil, but having seen this image, I am a little bit more sceptical of his intent," he said at half-time on TNT Sports.
The host, Lynsey Hipgrave, interjected to clarify that "they said it was a normal kicking action." Lescott disagreed with their claim, though.
He said: "The trajectory of the ball was across the floor, so for me, the fact that his leg is raised and has risen into the leg of Foden would mean that's not as normal as it may appear."
However, co-commentator Ally McCoist suggested Lescott was overreacting.
"Somebody needs to get Joleon a cup of tea and sit him down and calm him down," McCoist quipped.
"Right, yes, he does follow through; there is a little bit of a follow, though; I don't think there is any doubt about it.
"I reckon he is lucky not to hurt himself; I genuinely do. I know where Joleon is coming from, but I don't think it's anything more than that was required."