Bruno Fernandes was on the receiving end of a kickout from Man City star Phil Foden
Phil Foden was sent off for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes.
Phil Foden was sent off for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes.(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
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Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has claimed that Bruno Fernandes was fortunate to avoid sanction against Manchester City. However, the ex-official believes that the Manchester United star should not have been sent off.
The Portuguese appeared to strike Phil Foden after fouling the City man, before the England international lashed out, kicking Fernandes and subsequently being sent off. There was a suggestion that Fernandes, who wasn't cautioned for his part in the incident, should have been sanctioned for his involvement.
Foden will serve a three-match ban for violent conduct but the man disadvantage didn't affect City as Erling Haaland's strike on the hour mark proved decisive for Enzo Maresca's side.
Gallagher, who officiated 378 Premier League games during his career, didn't think Fernandes should have been sent off but admitted that the United man was fortunate to walk away without a caution.
He said: "I think red card for Foden and Fernandes is very lucky to escape sanction. I don't think that's violent (kick on Foden)."
Former Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd disagreed and felt that Fernandes was fortunate to escape punishment of any kind.
He said: "I'm saying that's violent, that's a different angle, he's kicking him while he's down. To me, yes Foden the right decision, he's kicked out.
"'I got that wrong, reacted' in a derby, that can happen. Bruno Fernandes got away with one, he kicked him why he was down that's why he got a red card, those challenges happen every game, feeling that kick in the back is why he reacted that way, that's why he should've got a red card too."
Manchester United icon Roy Keane was under the same impression as Bothroyd and felt that Fernandes' actions warranted a dismissal.
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He said: "Bruno tackles him, fouls him, gives him a little boot on the floor, reacts and he's now sent off. Bruno catches him, Foden sent off, I guess it's classed as violent and to me, Bruno is the one who is violent.
"I have to call it out, called it with Kyle Walker a few years ago when he went down after a headbutt, we see violent differently. I don't think that's a red card for Foden, I don't.
"'Did the referee get given a chance?' Foden is daft here but so is Bruno. If Bruno got sent off, we'd be saying, 'it was a daft, a bit silly.' Everyone's in a union, you've got to look out for each other.
"We saw Walker a few years ago do it with a headbutt, Bruno has got to do better there. It's a big game, you've got to look after the opposition players as well. Foden, I don't think it's a red card."