“Do you want him to defend with his arm behind his back?”
Sky Sports pundits couldn’t agree whether or not John Egan’s handling of the ball in his own box should have been given as a penalty for Man City.
The Sheffield United defender had slid in to intercept the ball but with his arms stretched out, he made contact with his hand, and the referee gave a penalty to City.
Erling Haaland stepped up, and amazingly, missed his spot kick, much to the dissapointemnet of Fantasy League managers everywhere who had him as their captain.
He did redeem himself however, scoring shortly afterwards and even though Sheffield managed to get an equaliser, a rocket from Rodri late on secured the win.
At half time debating the penalty call, Jamie Carragher was sympathetic to the Ireland international but still thought it was a penalty.
“I still think it was a penalty. He made his silhouette bigger and it has stopped the ball going to Erling Haaland, who would have had a brilliant chance.
“As a defender, I feel for Egan. I have been there so many times, where are you supposed to put your arms? But his arm is outstretched and stops it going right to Haaland.”
However, Andros Townsend was also in the studio, and he was quick to defend Egan.
The Super Sunday panel DEBATE if Manchester City should have received a penalty… 👀😳 pic.twitter.com/FjGRKv97m1
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 27, 2023
“I don’t think he does (make his silhouette bigger). He goes to slide, and when you go to slide, you can’t do it with your arms at your side. Letter of the law, it does hit his hand.
“Every year they come and speak for an hour on rules and regulations, they say they’re going to take into account proximity to the ball. That’s a couple of yards, what can he do?
Shay Given didn’t let his Irish bias change his option as he agreed with Carragher, and that the ref was right to call for a penalty.
“Look at Egan’s reaction as well. He knows it hit his hand, so he knows he has given the referee a choice to make.”
“Do you want him to defend with his arm behind his back?” Townsned interjected.
Given replied: “I’m not saying it’s right, I don’t agree with the law or whatever it is, they change it every week. His arms have to be somewhere.”
The fact that Haaland missed means that it’s something of an irrelevant point now, and City maintain their perfect record so far this season.
Related links:
- Jamie Carragher forensically examines Casemiro’s poor start to the season
- Roy Keane stops just short of wishing England best of luck in women’s World Cup final
- Roy Keane hits Man United with worst criticism imaginable after callow defeat to Tottenham
