Exclusive: Man City wrongly denied Akanji penalty in controversial Southampton draw
Keith Hacket has reviewed the VAR decision to deny Man City a penalty during their goalless draw with Southampton.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Pep Guardiola‘s side should have had a spot kick for a push on Manuel Akanji by Taylor Harwood-Bellis, or else the City man deserved punishment.
Man City were held to a 0-0 draw by bottom side Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday (10 May) in what could be blow to their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League this season, and Ruben Dias was scathing in his criticism on Sky Sports afterwards, raging at the home side’s style as he complained about the result.
For the Saints, that result means they will now avoid equalling the record lowest Premier League points tally of 11 set by Derby County back in the 2007/08 campaign.
Things though could have been different had a VAR check gone the other away early in the game.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis survives penalty appeals
It was a frustrating afternoon for the visitors, with suggestions the performance of Kevin De Bruyne will be of particular concern for Man City.
However, one early free kick from the Belgian did nearly make a significant difference when, as it was played into the area, Akanji went to ground after a push from Harwood-Bellis after just eight minutes.
| Man City last five games | Result |
| Everton (A) | Won 2-0 |
| Aston Villa (H) | Won 2-1 |
| Nottingham Forest (N) | Won 2-0 |
| Wolves (H) | Won 1-0 |
| Southampton (A) | Drew 0-0 |
On-field referee Tim Robinson did not point to the spot, and although the incident was checked by VAR, they also deemed it not worthy of a penalty.
Hackett though, believes Southampton were lucky not to concede an early spot kick, and that PGMOL must take stronger and more consistent action if they are not going to award penalties in these incidents.
Man City unlucky as spot kick not given
After being asked by Football Insider whether a penalty could have been awarded for that challenge on the Man City centre-back, Hackett said:
“It raises that whole topic, doesn’t it, of the lack of consistency in officiating across the board in relation to holding, pushing, blocking in the penalty area.
“The defender has clearly committed an offence, he’s pushed his opponent and his opponent’s gone to ground, where you would expect a penalty kick to be given.
“But the PGMOL clearly with two referees here – remember the VAR is a referee – decide this is perfectly acceptable.
“Now here’s the dilemma. If they believe that that’s not a push and a penalty kick, then I ask the question: Why are they not yellow carding the Man City player for an act of simulation?
“Because if it’s not a push and a penalty kick then it’s got to be an act that has deceived the referee so an act of simulation. You can’t have it both ways.
“So if they want to sell to be that that’s not a push they caution the player for simulation. For me, that’s a push, it should have been a penalty kick.”
Dias will have been all the more furious with the result in light of the Akanji call, with Newcastle climbing above City with their win over Chelsea, while Aston Villa closed the gap with victory over Bournemouth.
His side now set to turn their attention to the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace on Saturday (17 May), with the race for Champions League football still raging.