Premier League release statement over disallowed Man City goal as club achieve epic 89-year first in wild Liverpool clash

Manchester City kept their Premier League title hopes alive with a thrilling 2-1 comeback win against Liverpool in a match filled with controversy.

Dominik Szoboszlai put the Reds in front with a stunning free-kick before Bernardo Silva equalised six minutes from time.

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City were then handed a huge chance to take the lead as Alisson was adjudged to have fouled Matheus Nunes, with Erling Haaland dispatching his penalty in the third minute of stoppage time.

Rayan Cherki thought he added a late third, but the scrappy goal was ruled out after a VAR check.

Szoboszlai fouled Haaland as he approached the goal and was shown a red card – much to the dismay of the City squad.

After a chaotic finale, City held on for the three points to complete their first league double over Liverpool since 1937.

It was also just their fourth ever victory at Anfield, and keeps them within six points of league leaders Arsenal.

VAR chaos clouds over dramatic ending

City have earned a huge victory at Anfield, but it’s the disallowing of their third goal that takes centre stage in the headlines.

As per the laws of the game, Szoboszlai denied Haaland on obvious goal scoring opportunity and was subsequently sent off.

Just seconds after the foul took place, Cherki scored in an open goal to spark jubilation from the City fans.

But this was short-lived as referee Craig Pawson opted to chalk off the goal and bring play back for a free-kick after a VAR review.

“After review, there is a careless foul by Erling Haaland, that pulls the shirt of Dominik Szoboszlai,” he announced to the Anfield crowd.

AFP

AFP

“Prior to that, Szoboszlai commits a holding offence that denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity.

“The final decision is a direct free kick to Manchester City and a red card.”

City were able to hold onto their lead and win, but it’s a controversial decision that will be hotly debated in the aftermath.

Speaking to the BBC after, City boss Pep Guardiola said: “Come on referee, give [the] goal and go home!”

“For me, of course, the referee has to follow the rules,” Haaland told Sky Sports. “But this will give him [Szoboszlai] three games [ban].

“I feel bad for him because he gets three games. Just give the goal and don’t give a red card, simple as that.

“I think it’s the rules and this is just how it is so yeah I don’t know.

“In the end, Cherki just passed me the ball so I can score, but he didn’t want to, so that’s just how it is.”