Manchester City striker Erling Haaland once again clashed with Arsenal defender Gabriel when the two teams met at the Etihad Stadium, but the Norwegian has now spoken out.
Gabriel and Erling Haaland clash again at the Etihad (Image: Getty Images)
Erling Haaland insists Arsenal’s Gabriel was lucky to avoid a red card after their controversial encounter at the Etihad. City secured what could have been a decisive victory with a 2-1 win on Sunday afternoon.
With the win, Josep Guardiola’s side cut Arsenal’s advantage at the top of the table to just three points with one game in hand. Haaland was on the scoresheet again against North London.
Away from goal, Haaland was involved in one of the match’s major flashpoints, in a head-to-head confrontation with Arsenal defender Gabriel. The latter appeared to thrust his forehead forward, but neither VAR nor the referee deemed the incident worthy of a red card, and both were given warnings.
Asked about the match, Haaland suggested the Brazilian could have been sent off if he had been a little more dramatic. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “I think it’s always like this, a lot of fights and things like that.
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“It’s up to others to decide whether I won that battle or not. Of course I scored the goal. In the decisive moment I won that battle. The cross was perfect. It was a great goal. In the end we win.”
He added: “If I went to the floor there, which I won’t unless someone really attacked me, then it would be a red card. I don’t know because I haven’t seen the situation. That’s the way it is. It’s not going to go to the floor. For me, I don’t understand why he would come in my face.”
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville was among those who couldn’t believe Gabriel would remain on the pitch.
Anthony Taylor only ruled the incident merited a yellow card (Image: Getty Images)
On commentary, he said, “Why did you do that, Gabriel? You can butt heads. I finished a game a long time ago, and the moment I threw it forward, I got a red. Honestly, I can’t believe it wasn’t a red.”
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean added: “They were head-to-head. It wasn’t too much force on Gabriel’s part. I think a yellow card was appropriate given the way the game went between them, but I wouldn’t have been surprised if Gabriel got sent off.”
“Looking back at it, Gabriel was very lucky not to get sent off. I think he was very lucky, really lucky.”
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