Jamie Carragher said Manchester City got lucky with a “major mix-up” between officials during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.
With the scores level after Leon Bailey cancelled out Erling Haaland’s opener, Philippe Coutinho was adjudged to be offside when in a dangerous attacking position. The whistle was blown when the assistant referee raised his flag, causing City defenders to stop before Coutinho lashed in a bullet shot via the crossbar.
Premier League referees are instructed to let the play continue if an offside is called to see whether a goal is scored and thus whether in fact the object player was onside through VAR.
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This year, officials are allowed to blow up if the decision is deemed obvious or if attackers are running down the wing or away from goal. However, referee Simon Hooper blew for offside when Coutinho was in a promising position.
Replays showed he was actually looked onside and so Villa were denied a possible attempt on goal in a threatening area. Carragher said City were fortunate with the referee’s call.
Speaking on Sky Sports during commentary, he said: “He’s not offside. Man City have got away with one. Then the linesman thinks he’s come back from an onside there again. That is a major mix-up between these officials, it really is.
“That is a mistake. Wouldn’t want to be the man who tells Steven Gerrard after the game.”
Speaking post-match Villa boss Gerrard said: “I'm not sure on the Coutinho goal because we might have had a second. I've seen a legitimate goal but obviously I am going to be biased.”
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