Premier League referee Michael Oliver has been slammed for ‘failing to do the basics’ during a key incident of Sunday’s clash between Manchester City and Arsenal.
The two title rivals played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium in a fiery encounter that was littered with controversy.
Having one behind to Erling Haaland’s 100th City goal, Arsenal hit back through Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel before being reduced to ten men on the brink of half-time.
The Gunners defended spiritedly for much of the second half but were eventually undone by John Stones’ stoppage-time equaliser.
While much of the post-match refereeing focus narrowed in on Leandro Trossard’s sending off for kicking the ball away, less focus was given to the moments before Arsenal’s opening goal.
Kyle Walker, in particular, was left fuming with the goal having not been given time to get back into position after being ushered towards the referee for a brief chat after the break in play.
The decision also left Pep Guardiola incensed, with the City boss breaking a chair in frustration, and former referee Keith Hackett believes that his side has plenty of reason to feel aggrieved.
‘I can well understand the fury of the Manchester City player’s over the circumstances behind Arsenal’s first goal, scored by Riccatdo Calfiori,’ Hackett wrote in The Telegraph.
‘Oliver had pulled Kyle Walker out of his right-back position to talk to him and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka in the centre circle after awarding a free kick to Arsenal, the referee presumably demanding an Improvement in the behaviour of the players.
‘In basic refereeing, if you have pulled a player out of position to talk to him you must allow them the opportunity to return to take up their station before signalling a restart.
