Brentford head coach Keith Andrews felt he deserved a penalty to equalize against Manchester City, but it could have had a huge impact on their Premier League title race.
City were 1-0 up in the 71st minute when Kevin Shade went down after a challenge from Matheus Nunez, but referee Michael Salisbury did not award a penalty and VAR James Bell did not overturn the decision.
It was one of three big decisions taken against Brentford during the match, which City won 3-0 and moved to within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, who play West Ham on Sunday, broadcast on Sky Sports.
“I thought Kevin Shade’s shot in the second half was a penalty, so it was really disappointing,” Andrews told Sky Sports.
Later, in a press conference, he added: “I don’t understand what kind of world he’s going to be in without contact, because there’s a goal to get us back to 1-1. That’s something I’m having a hard time understanding.”
Shade falls after a challenge from Nunez in the penalty area.
“The comment I heard was, ‘There wasn’t enough contact.’ But with a player as fast as Kevin Shade with his eyes on goal, I don’t know how much contact he (the referee) is looking for, especially given Kevin’s speed and nature.”
Following the decision, Sky Sports pundit and former Man City defender Micah Richards said: “It’s difficult. It was one of those decisions that was taken on the field so they’re not going to overturn it. But they’re not going to overturn it either because it wasn’t one they took on the field.”
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Highlights of the Premier League match between Manchester City and Brentford
“Shade may have cut his own leg while running. There must have been some contact, but it’s difficult for everyone involved. It’s like his right leg hit Nunez’s knee and then he cut himself.”
Should Bernardo have seen the red against Collins?
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Bernardo Silva clashes with Nathan Collins but avoids red card
One of the other two big decisions against Brentford was an apparent arm swing by City captain Bernardo Silva against Brentford’s Nathan Collins.
After Collins won a goal kick for Brentford, an angry Bernardo appeared to hit Collins, who was on the floor, in the leg with his arm.
Sky Sports co-commentator Alan Smith said: “Some of the Brentford players are not happy with Silva. He waved his arm.”
Referee Salisbury cautioned Bernardo for his “aggressive behavior”, but does this constitute an act of violence?
According to the FA’s Laws of the Game, violent conduct is the use or attempted use of excessive force or cruelty by a player, whether or not there is contact, against an opponent, team-mate, team official, match official, spectator or other person when the player is not challenging for the ball.
Brentford captain Collins did not react to the incident after the match, but said City had gained confidence by having taken the decision in their favor.
Should Nunes have seen the red in the first half?
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Was Matheus Nunez lucky to avoid a foul on Kevin Shade in a situation where he could have been considered the last man standing?
In the first half, Nunez and Schade were also involved in big chances.
Shade burst through goal and fell under a challenge from City’s right-back, but referee Salisbury did not award a foul in favor of the Brentford forward.
Replays showed Nunez barely touched the ball, which may have saved him from a red card for not giving him a clear scoring chance in the first half.
“I never saw the first half of the game,” Andrews said. “The coaches said there might have been some contact with the ball. If that’s the case, that makes sense.”
Sky Sports pundit Richards added: “Nunez was very lucky he only touched the ball slightly, otherwise he would have been sent off.”
