PHIL FODEN struck eight minutes from time as Manchester City escaped with a controversial 1-0 win at relegation-threatened Everton to open up a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
City’s first league defeat since October last weekend against Tottenham has reawakened the title race and they looked set to drop points again until Foden pounced to punish an error from Michael Keane.
Everton then had strong claims for a penalty waved away after a VAR review for a handball by Rodri.
Frank Lampard’s men are now just one point above the relegation zone, but there was hope for the Toffees in a battling performance that pushed the champions all the way.
Before kick-off, both sets of players showed solidarity with Ukraine as the eastern European nation is under siege from a Russian invasion.
Ukrainian internationals Oleksandr Zinchenko and Vitaliy Mykolenko were named on the bench.
City left-back Zinchenko was moved to tears as his teammates wore tracksuit tops blazoned with the Ukrainian flag and “no war”, while Everton players took the field with Ukrainian flags draped around their shoulders.
Once the action got underway, it was hard to tell which was the side going for a fourth league title in five years and the one battling for survival.
Everton’s energy forced City onto the back foot, but without the injured Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the hosts failed to take advantage.
Jonjoe Kenny sliced their best opening into the side netting before Richarlison blazed too close to Brazilian international teammate Ederson.
City rode out the first-half storm and went on to dominate the second without creating many big chances.
Jordan Pickford made double saves to deny firstly Foden and Joao Cancelo and then powerful efforts from Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva.
However, their defensive resistance was ended by a basic error as Keane failed to connect with Silva’s low cross and Foden pounced to tap in from point-blank range.
The drama was not over as the ball struck Rodri on the arm as he tried to control a bouncing ball inside his own box.
But after a lengthy VAR review, no penalty was awarded and City held out for a massive three points in the title race.
How Everton didn’t get that VAR decision for a penalty against cancelo is one of the reasons that Var is only an opinion , and the opinion only of a guy in a room who’s tossing a coin . Crazy .
@Tricksy: it was Rodri actually.
@Darren Mullins: I stand corrected Darren , after going to VAR lol .
@Tricksy: same ref that Klopp called out this season.
@Mogh Roith: Tierney again , ha ha ha
Stonewall penalty. That lost point could be the difference in Everton staying up or not this season. The officials in the Premier League are sh!te
As a United fan you’re put in a limbo situation. City’s gain is pool’s loss. Yes we’ve stooped to that level and united pool is the biggest Derby for us. However that was an absolute stonewall peno of the highest order. How you can justify any argument for letting it pass needs serious looking into
Same officials in charge of Liverpool v spurs when blatant Jota pen and Kane red not given, 4 point swing caused by them in that game and this which is unforgivable given we have access to VAR now
“Not clear enough evidence to show conclusively that it was handball” – Chris Kavanagh on VAR
Only for Man City coming along after all those years of dominance by Man Utd, Liverpool would definitely have another 3 premier leagues. But they don’t and we all thank City for keeping them off their perch like fergie did for 26 years.
@Irish Reds: Thank god for Man City lol ,
@Tricksy: Buíochas le Dia
Sportswashing has obviously extended to VAR….
Absolute stone wall pen var is farcical at times
Lucky, very lucky!
I see a lot of upset liverpool fans. Var is swings and Roundabouts. Remember when trent handle the ball a few seasons ago against city and no pen was given and liverpool went up the field and scored. Or what about the soft pen liv got against Palace a few weeks ago
@John Macken: sad
Inconclusive the man said…whats not to like