After Pep Guardiola dropped Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, Manchester City enjoyed a first Premier League win in four games. It handed Wolves a first defeat in six and was notable for the referee, Farai Hallam, on top-flight debut, daring to stick with his decision not to award a penalty after being sent by VAR for a pitchside review.
That was for a Yerson Mosquera handball and infuriated Pep Guardiola, though after City’s dire recent form a first three points since 27 December is what matters.
When discussing Hallam’s decision the manager reiterated a long-held belief that City can receive unfair officiating and pointed to his 11 injured players as being needed to mitigate this.
The manager said: “I would love to have the players to fight against that – despite these decisions, in nine years it is six Premier Leagues that we have won. It is the first time when a referee goes to the TV and does not overrule the position of the arms.
“I am pretty sure tomorrow Howard Webb [PGMO’s chief refereeing operator] is going to appear in the media and explain. The referee makes his debut now everyone will know him.”
