Man City Bournemouth
(Credit: ITV Sport and Imago)
Keith Hackett
Mon 31 March 2025 11:03, UK
Man City’s winning goal in their FA Cup clash with Bournemouth was a “difficult call” for a potential handball in the build up, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Bernardo Silva did not deliberately handle prior to Omar Marmoush putting his side 2-1 up from a Nico O’Reilly pass.
Pep Guardiola‘s side saw their hopes of winning a trophy this season remain in tact thanks to a 2-1 win over the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday (30 March).
Bournemouth though had some frustrations over the winning goal scored by Man City, although they were not acknowledged.
Man City
Bernardo Silva came under scrutiny over the winning goal for Man City at Bournemouth (Credit: Getty Images)
Man City survive handball appeal for Bournemouth winner
There was an eventful start to the game, with Ilkay Gundogan fortunate to avoid an early yellow card for Man City.
Erling Haaland then had a penalty saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga after a handball by Tyler Adams, before Evanilson put Bournemouth 1-0 up after 20 minutes.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
The introduction of O’Reilly at half time would then change the game in the favour of Man City, as he first set up Haaland to equalise, and then Marmoush to score what proved to be the winner.
Man City last five games Result
Tottenham (A) Won 1-0
Plymouth (H) Won 3-1
Nottingham Forest (A) Lost 1-0
Brighton (H) Drew 2-2
Bournemouth (A) Won 2-1
All competitions
However, the hosts were unhappy that Bernardo Silva was not penalised for handball after the ball came off his arm as he went to ground early on in the passage of play that led to the winner.
Although VAR assessed the incident, no decision to intervene and overturn the goal was made, and Hackett believes that referee Stuart Attwell and VAR were right to allow the goal to stand.
‘Bernardo Silva not deliberate with handball in FA Cup win’ – Keith Hackett
After being asked by Football Insider if that winning goal for Man City could have been ruled out due to the handball by Silva, the former referee said:
“From what you see, and it’s a limited view, the referee’s in a good position, the ball striking the hand or arm when a player goes to ground is a difficult scenario.
“Because has he put his hand down to ground to prevent his fall? And if in that situation the ball strikes then clearly it’s not deliberate.
“So what you’re looking for here is a movement of the hand and arm towards the ball, and I think there’s a lack of clarification that has happened. It’s certainly a tight call.
“The referee’s in a good position… they’re not going to penalise that, because I think he’s got his arm out to prevent [a fall] rather than his arm to actually play the ball.
Keith Hackett on PGMOL slary revelations
Keith Hackett is satisfied that the Man City winner stood.
“So I think on that one I’m supporting the referee and the VAR, despite the critical element of a goal resulting from it.
“But I think that’s the very nature of why you’ve got VAR and potentially other viewing angles for them to actually say ‘no this is not handball’.
“For me it’s not deliberate, it’s a difficult one for the ref, and VAR, because the player’s hand is in that position to support his body and fall, rather than deliberately handle the ball. These are tight calls.”
Man City return to Premier League action on Wednesday (2 April) when Leicester City visit the Etihad, while Bournemouth are due to host Ipswich Town on the same night.
Related Posts