Erling Haaland could not believe referee Simon Hooper’s decision not to play advantage (Picture: Getty Images)
Erling Haaland led the Manchester City protests after referee Simon Hooper made a very confusing decision at the death in Manchester City’s 3-3 draw with Tottenham on Sunday.
The superb contest ended level, which will be frustrating enough for the Premier League champions who had twice led in front of their own fans.
Their frustrations have only grown thanks to Hooper giving them a free-kick in their own half deep into injury time when Jack Grealish had been played through on the Tottenham goal.
Haaland had been felled by Emerson Royal, Hooper put the whistle to his mouth but didn’t blow, instead playing advantage, but when Grealish was put clear through on goal the referee then blew the whistle.
The Manchester City players raged, with Haaland seemingly the angriest of all, with his protests continuing after the final whistle before he stormed down the tunnel.
The Norwegian striker posted on X after the match: ‘Wtf.’
Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane said that the official had obviously made a bad decision in a clear example of an error.
‘I think obviously the referee’s made a mistake,’ said the Manchester United legend. ‘It’s a poor call, he’s got it wrong, obviously Jack is through on goal, for some reason he blows the whistle. He’s got that wrong, we can all see that.’
Former Manchester City star Micah Richards couldn’t believe the decision, saying: ‘The referee had a brilliant game until this moment. He puts the whistle to his mouth, then he stops, he waves it on to play advantage, Jack Grealish is clearly onside and now he stops the play. I don’t quite understand it.
Erling Haaland was seething after the final whistle (Picture: Getty Images)
‘The evidence is there for all to see, he didn’t blow it first time, he should have let play go on and Grealish is one-on-one with the goalkeeper. You can’t explain it.
‘He’s entitled to make a mistake, but the problem I have with that is that we’ve had so many situations where play is allowed to go on. If you’re in doubt just leave the play to go on and you can always bring it back. That’s why Man City will feel aggrieved.’
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