Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes avoided a red card despite appearing to headbutt Manchester City's Erling Haaland during the Premier League title clash at the Etihad Stadium. The incident occurred in the second half after Haaland scored the winning goal, with referee Anthony Taylor showing yellow cards to both players.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) reviewed the incident and upheld the decision. The Premier League's Match Centre stated: 'The referee's call of no red card was checked and confirmed by VAR - with the action from Gabriel deemed not to be excessively aggressive or violent.'
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville expressed disbelief, saying: 'The minute you rock it back and throw it forward you usually get a red. I can't believe that's not a red to be honest with you.' Former Premier League referee Mike Dean added that Gabriel was 'very lucky' and that a yellow card was 'probably just about right' but wouldn't have been surprised by a red.
Haaland himself commented on the clash: 'If I fell on the floor, which I will not do unless someone really attacks me, I think maybe it would be a red card. I'm not sure. Yellow card, for me I don't know why. He comes up to my face!'
Manchester City secured a 2-1 victory, with Rayan Cherki's stunning strike opening the scoring before Kai Havertz equalised for Arsenal. Haaland's second-half goal proved decisive, moving City to within three points of the league leaders with a game in hand.
