Szoboszlai-Haaland incident explained as ref backs Gabriel push in NLD

Referee Craig Pawson has admitted he “didn’t see” Erling Haaland’s pull-back on Dominik Szoboszlai that led to Rayan Cherki’s dramatic stoppage-time strike for Manchester City against Liverpool being ruled out, while north-London derby official Peter Bankes has defended the decision to chalk off Randal Kolo Muani’s late equaliser for a push on Arsenal defender Gabriel.

Pawson initially awarded Cherki’s goal after the French forward curled into an empty net, but VAR John Brooks intervened, identifying that Haaland had hauled Szoboszlai to the floor as the pair chased a loose ball. Because the Hungarian had earlier tugged Haaland outside the area, play was brought back to that offence. Szoboszlai was shown a straight red for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and City were awarded a free-kick.

Audio released on Sky Sports’ Match Officials Mic’d Up captured the exchange in the VAR hub:

Brooks: “There’s a clear foul here on Erling Haaland, which means he cannot get to the ball, OK?” Pawson: “Yeah, that’s the pull-back. That’s the one I played advantage on, yeah.” Brooks: “But then we cannot play advantage and ignore this because there is a clear holding offence on the defender (Szoboszlai), there.” Pawson: “Ah, I didn’t see that.”

PGMO chief Howard Webb backed the process, insisting the goal could not stand once it became clear Haaland’s offence directly prevented Szoboszlai from clearing.

“The ball only goes in because Haaland pulls Szoboszlai,” Webb said. “We can’t ignore that. We end up in the right place through the use of VAR.”

Gary Neville, on co-commentary at the Etihad, called the outcome “unjust” and claimed “the smell of the game” had been lost, but Webb countered that officials must apply the laws even when the spectacle suffers.

Bankes: Gabriel push was “very clear”

In the corresponding programme segment, Peter Bankes revisited his call in last month’s north-London derby that denied Spurs a 2-2 draw. After Randal Kolo Muani bundled home in the dying minutes, Bankes flagged a foul for a two-handed push on Gabriel, a decision ratified by VAR.

“I delayed the whistle so play could continue,” Bankes explained. “When you see two hands on the back in live play, it’s a clear push. I’m still comfortable it’s enough for a free-kick.”

Both incidents will feature in full when Match Officials Mic’d Up airs tonight at 10:15pm on Sky Sports Premier League.