Brentford head coach Keith Andrews felt his side deserved a penalty to equalise against Manchester City – which could have had a huge impact on the Premier League title race.
On 71 minutes, with the scoreline at 1-0 to City, Kevin Schade went down under Matheus Nunes’ challenge and referee Michael Salisbury did not give the penalty – with VAR James Bell not overturning the decision.
It was one of three major decisions which went against Brentford during the match as City went on to win 3-0 and move within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, who play West Ham on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
“I thought Kevin Schade’s one in the second half was a penalty. So that was really disappointing,” said Andrews to Sky Sports.
He later added in his press conference: “In what world he goes down unless there’s contact is beyond me. Because there’s a goal to get us back to 1-1. That’s the one that I’m struggling to comprehend.
“The comment I heard was ‘not enough contact’. But someone who is as quick as Kevin Schade, with his eyes on goal, I’m not sure how much contact he [the referee] is looking for. Especially with how quick Kev is and the nature of it.”
Reacting to the decision, Sky Sports pundit and former Man City defender Micah Richards said: “It’s difficult – it was one of those decisions where had it been given on field, they’re not going to overturn it. But because they didn’t give it on field they’re also not going to overturn it.
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Highlights from the Premier League match between Manchester City and Brentford
“Schade might have clipped his own leg when he’s running. There must have been a little bit of contact – but it’s a difficult one for the officials. It’s almost like his right foot hits the knee of Nunes and then he clips himself.”
Should Bernardo have seen red for swing at Collins?
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Bernardo Silva clashes with Nathan Collins but escapes a red card
One of the other two major decisions that went against Brentford was an apparent swing of the arm by City captain Bernardo Silva at Brentford’s Nathan Collins.
After Collins had won a goal kick for Brentford, an angry Bernardo appeared to hit Collins’ leg with his arm when on the floor.
Alan Smith, on Sky Sports co-commentary duty, said: “Some of the Brentford players aren’t happy at Silva. He’s swung an arm.”
Referee Salisbury booked Bernardo for “adopting an aggressive attitude” – but did it constitute violent conduct?
According to the FA’s Laws of the Game, violent conduct is when a player uses or attempts to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball, or against a team-mate, team official, match official, spectator or any other person, regardless of whether contact is made.
Brentford captain Collins, who did not react to the incident after the game, said City got confidence from the decisions going in their favour.
Should Nunes have seen red in the first half?
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Was Matheus Nunes lucky to get away with a foul on Kevin Schade, one where he could have been deemed the last man?
Nunes and Schade were also involved in a major decision in the first half.
Schade broke through on goal and went down under the City right-back’s challenge – with referee Salisbury not giving a foul in favour of the Brentford forward.
Replays showed Nunes got a slight touch on the ball, which may have saved Nunes from getting a red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity in the first half.
“The first half one, I haven’t seen that one back,” said Andrews. “The coaches have said there might have been a bit of contact on the ball. If that’s the case, fair enough.”
Sky Sports pundit Richards added: “Nunes was very lucky that he got the slightest touch on the ball. Otherwise he’s going off.”
