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Premier League | Gameweek 12

Nov 12, 2023 at 4.30pm UK

Stamford Bridge

Chelsea
4 - 4
Man City

Silva (29'), Sterling (37'), Jackson (67'), Palmer (90+5' pen.)
Cucurella (21'), Palmer (23'), Caicedo (60'), Jackson (90+4'), Sterling (90+7'), Pochettino (90+11')

FT(HT: 2-2)

Haaland (25' pen., 47'), Akanji (45+1'), Rodri (86')
Doku (56'), Rodri (72'), Grealish (90+4')

Dermot Gallagher backs Manchester City penalty call against Chelsea

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 13 November 2023

Gallagher backs Man City penalty call against Chelsea

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher says that it was the right decision for Manchester City to be awarded a penalty against Chelsea on Sunday.

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has backed the decision to award Manchester City a penalty against Chelsea in Sunday's Premier League fixture.

The defending champions were held to a 4-4 draw by the West Londoners in an encounter at Stamford Bridge that will go down as a classic contest in the history books.

Chelsea came from behind on three occasions to earn a dramatic share of the spoils - the first time that they were adrift coming midway through the first half.

City were given a penalty when Marc Cucurella was adjudged to have pulled down Erling Haaland at the back post, with the perception being that the left-back had prevented the forward from getting on the end of a cross.

The pair were initially each holding onto each other's shirts, with Haaland pulling Cucurella back to give himself an advantage before the defender retained hold of his shirt.

Anthony Taylor, the on-field referee, gave the decision on the pitch, supported by his assistant who had an ideal view of the incident, and VAR opted not to intervene.

Manchester City's Erling Braut Haaland celebrates scoring their first goal on November 11, 2023 © Reuters

Haaland converted the resulting penalty and, speaking to Sky Sports News, Gallagher felt that there was no controversy in the call not being overturned.

Gallagher said: "You see it sideways on. You can't unsee it. They are both grabbing at each other, Cucurella doesn't let go, hauls him to the ground. Can see why the referee has give it.

"The assistant has obviously got the best view. He has confirmed that to the referee. It is never, ever going to be overturned by VAR."

However, Gallagher conceded that VAR would not have stepped in and awarded the penalty had Taylor deemed that both players were equally guilty of committing an offence.

He added: "I would say no. The reason I say it is because I do feel that it needs to be the on-field decision. Is it a clear and obvious error if he doesn't give it? I'd say no because he would probably say that they are pulling each other."

Pochettino refused to criticise the decision made by Taylor, telling reporters that "we need to accept the decision" and "sometimes it's for you, sometimes it's against."