Manchester City have seen referees play a significant role in their recent matches with Brighton ahead of the Premier League game
Manchester City had already won the league but Pep Guardiola still fumed at the foul that cost them another win. Erling Haaland headed home Cole Palmer's cross at Brighton in the closing minutes, only for VAR to intervene and spot a shirt-pull from the Norwegian on defender Levi Colwill. Guardiola earned a yellow card for his protestations, and continued to air his thoughts after the match.
“It’s a goal because he’s bigger, he’s stronger, he won the position and it was an incredible action from Cole Palmer and the goal should be given. But that proved that what we won on the pitch belongs to us, not anyone gave us anything."ALSO READ: City have clear target in sight for top-flight return
Guardiola may be right that referees have not helped City to achieve what they have done, but the officials have had a key say in how their last two games with Brighton have gone. To the immense credit of Roberto De Zerbi and his players, they have caused the Blues enough problems that marginal calls have helped to decide recent matches.
There may well be more controversy from the officials, though. Mateo Kovacic was lucky to stay on the pitch at the Emirates for a foul while already on a yellow card that could have been red to continue the conversation around the standard of refereeing.
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