Anthony Taylor ‘let down’ over Diogo Dalot controversy in Man United vs Man City
Diogo Dalot was fortunate to remain on the pitch following an early challenge in Man United’s clash with Man City on Saturday.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Craig Pawson should have sent Anthony Taylor to the pitch-side monitor on 17 January.
Pawson has been heavily criticised during the 2025-26 campaign, with United fans now being added to the list of supporters unhappy with the official’s decisions in the Premier League.
Just 11 minutes into proceedings, though, and Taylor already had a contentious decision to make, with the recently returned Jeremy Doku getting on the wrong end of a tough challenge from Dalot.
Despite a VAR check, the full-back remained on the pitch with a yellow card, but he can count his lucky stars that the punishment was not upgraded at Stockley Park.
Craig Pawson slammed as Diogo Dalot escapes red card
Hackett has been critical of Taylor previously, but speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee was far more surprised by the VAR official, excusing the referee for a missed decision.
“Dalot is a very lucky man to remain on the pitch after the foul on his opponent. It was late and delivered, at pace, the boot of Dalot on the knee area of Doku. It fulfilled the law for serious foul play,” he said.
“Referee Taylor, in the middle of a Manchester derby, may not have the viewing angle afforded to viewers. Sadly, he was not going to get much help from VAR. Craig Pawson, at Stockley Park, I feel, has let Taylor down.”
In commentary, Gary Neville argued the case for Dalot staying on the pitch, saying that there was not enough force in the challenge, but that has quickly been rubbished by a former head of PGMOL.
What was the reason for Dalot’s card not being upgraded?
Decisions in the Premier League often leave supporters fuming, and this is yet another of them, with the travelling fans wanting to see a straight red card awarded.
Taking to X after the incident, the Premier League Match Centre wrote: “The referee’s call of yellow card to Dalot for a reckless challenge was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the contact deemed to be glancing and not with excessive force.“
Unsurprisingly, fans erupted at the announcement, with accusations being targeted at the officials and PGMOL in general, with Howard Webb being given yet another incident to unravel.
Referees are unlikely to ever please everyone, but with this one, even Man United fans admitted that their team should have gone down to 10 men.