Ex-Premier League referee issues emphatic claim as controversial Erling Haaland footage emerges from Man City
West Ham can have no complaints with the penalty kick they conceded in their 2-0 defeat to Man City on Sunday (7 August), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed Michael Oliver showed he was a “class above the rest” of the other top-flight officials.
As shown on the BBC’s Match of the Day 2 programme, Erling Haaland won a penalty after going down from a challenge by Alphonse Areola.
Haaland had been played in behind by the West Ham defence by Ilkay Gundogan and won the ball before Areola.
The 22-year-old fell to the ground after the challenge by the Hammers goalkeeper and Oliver was quick to point to the spot and VAR did not intervene.
He then converted the penalty to score his first Man City goal and his first Premier League goal before doubling his tally in the second half to secure the three points for his new side.
“This was a penalty kick,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I just think Michael Oliver is a class above the rest. The way he communicates with players, his body language is so confident.
“With the accuracy of that decision, you don’t need VAR and the VAR was Mike Dean.”
Haaland has signed a five-year deal with City after moving from Borussia Dortmund for £51million this summer.
Pep Guardiola’s side are next in action on Saturday (13 August) when Bournemouth visit the Etihad.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has claimed Man City are calling on a “magic circle” of lawyers as an FFP probe is revealed.