Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot was not sent off for a tackle on Manchester City forward Jeremy Doku, with PGMOL chief Howard Webb now providing his verdict
Howard Webb
Howard Webb was confident VAR made the right call(Image: Sky Sports)
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Howard Webb has explained why he believes the correct decision was made for Diogo Dalot not to be sent off during Manchester United’s win over Manchester City. Dalot was booked for a challenge in City forward Jeremy Doku, with the tackle being subject to a VAR check.
Referee Anthony Taylor had issued Dalot a booking for the tackle on Doku in the 11th minute, where the score was goalless at the time, but told to wait to restart the game while Craig Pawson on VAR checked the decision.
The check concluded that a yellow card for Dalot would remain unchanged, with the United defender allowed to continue the game. United won the game 2-0 in the Manchester derby thanks to second-half goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu.
PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) chief Webb has appeared on the latest episode of Mic’d Up, where the former Premier League referee explained why he does not believe the challenge from Dalot was worthy of being shown a red card.
"Is there excessive force? Some will say, yes. I'm not quite there, but I can see that there could be,” Webb said.
"It's a subjective judgment…but I'm absolutely aligned that once that decision is taken on the field, we leave it as referee's call and we don't intervene with the VAR."
“I think it's one where the referee's call should stand on the field,” Webb added. “That's what we've said we'll do where there's a mix of considerations.
"I think there is a mix, and therefore in this situation, it was right to leave it as the referee's call.
Diogo Dalot of Manchester United tackles Jeremy Doku of Manchester City
Diogo Dalot of Manchester United tackles Jeremy Doku of Manchester City(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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"If a red had been given, I would have expected the red card to stand as well, in the same way."
Dalot went on to play the full game for United and played a key role in their victory over City at Old Trafford in what was Michael Carrick’s first match in charge since being appointed as interim head coach of the Red Devils until the end of the season.
United’s next match will see them travel to face league leaders Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend, while City will host Wolves as they aim to return to winning ways and continue their title challenge.
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