Manchester City could have been down to 10 men against Newcastle in Saturday night's 2-1 defeat
Newcastle United defender Dan Burn
Newcastle United's Dan Burn at Man City
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Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva was a 'lucky man' to stay on the pitch in their 2-1 victory over Newcastle United last night, according to former Spurs and England legend Glenn Hoddle.
The Portuguese star was at the centre of a moment of controversy midway through the second half, when referee Thomas Bramall opted not to show him a second yellow card.
Silva had gone into the book for a scything tackle moments earlier, and then jumped into Newcastle defender Dan Burn when attempting to defend a United free-kick.
He 31-year-old made no attempt to win the ball, knocking Burn to ground and winning the Magpies another free-kick in a dangerous area.
However, with the away fans appealing for a second yellow, referee Bramall only awarded a free-kick and City continued with 11 men.
Speaking on co-commentary duty on TNT Sports on Saturday night, Hoddle said: "Bernado Silva, look, he's just been booked as well. He's not even looking at the ball - he's fouled him.
"He's a lucky man because straight away I'm thinking 'is the ref going to go to his pocked'?
Bernardo Silva of Manchester City challenges Dan Burn of Newcastle United
Bernardo Silva of Man City challenges Dan Burn of Newcastle United
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It was not the only incident Newcastle may have been aggrieved with, as Burn had a first-half equaliser chalked off for offside.
The United stopper was in an offisde position when he headed home Sandro Tonali's inch-perfect free-kick, but only because he had been pushed by City defender Ruben Dias, himself on a yellow card following a cynical foul on Anthony Gordon.
Speaking about the officials after the game, United head coach Eddie Howe said: “I only saw it from the viewpoint that I thought he was offside so I didn't see the push because I'm looking at a still frame.
“I don't think we were on the right end of the decisions today, but I don't want to go down that road. I'm not one of those managers that wants to continually criticise officials, but I thought again it was one we probably didn’t get the right end of the decisions.”
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