Erling Haaland and Gabriel clashed again in Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Arsenal, but the Brazilian was reportedly lucky to remain on the pitch after the incident.
Erling Haaland and Gabriel were both arrested in connection with the incident (Image: Getty Images)
Erling Haaland helped Gabriel avoid a red card in a controversial encounter, a former Premier League referee has claimed. The pair faced each other in Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
As both players pressed their heads together, Gabriel appeared to throw the forward, which would normally result in a red card for violent conduct. However, neither the referee nor VAR deemed the incident worthy of a sending off, and both players were given yellow cards instead.
But Gabriel was later told that Haaland’s reaction actually saved his life. Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey told The Sun: “They both stood up, faced each other and put their heads together, and then Gabriel put his head towards Haaland.”
“Some will argue that Gabriel should have been given a red card for the violence, and others will say, ‘Well, the military wasn’t there.’
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“It’s subjective, some people will say yes, some people will say no. Overall, I think the two yellow cards were the right thing to do. If you look at Haaland, I think he did Gabriel a huge favor by staying on his feet.”
“We’ve seen players go down in previous games, red cards and three-match suspensions. I think Gabriel has a lot to thank Haaland for.
“I think Anthony Taylor made the right call. He got two yellow cards for being aggressive towards each other. For me, he was right.”
Haaland gave his verdict on the confrontation with Gabriel, seemingly agreeing that had the Brazilian reacted a little more dramatically he could have been sent off.
Gabriel clashes with Haaland again at Etihad (Image: Getty Images)
He said, “I think it’s always like this: A lot of fights and stuff like that. It’s up to other people to decide whether I win that fight or not.”
“Of course I scored the goal. I won the decisive moment. The cross was perfect. It was a great goal. In the end we won.”
Haaland added: “If I go to the floor there, it won’t be until someone really attacks me, but then I might get 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.”
City’s victory at the Etihad cut their lead over Premier League leaders Arsenal to just three points. Josep Guardiola’s side could advance in midweek as they face relegation-threatened Burnley.
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