Brentford boss Keith Andrews insists Manchester City should have received a red card in the first half of their League Cup quarter-final tie, with Abdukodir Khusanov lucky to escape with a yellow.
Manchester City hosted Brentford in their League Cup quarter-final tie on Wednesday night, fielding a rotated team that would have given some hope to the away side.
But it would have given Brentford extra inspiration to see the hosts go down to 10 men just 15 minutes into the match, and that’s arguably what should have happened.
A long ball forward found Kevin Schade, in the final third, and the Brentford forward touched the ball away from Abdukodir Khusanov before being brought down.
The referee blew his whistle and awarded a free-kick and a yellow card, but the Brentford players clearly thought it should have been red. Schade was through on goal, with the ball entering the penalty area and only the goalkeeper left to beat.
Speaking after the game, Brentford boss Keith Andrews conceded it was a rare occasion where he was willing to be critical of a refereeing decision.
“It was a big moment, wasn’t it? 15, 16 minutes into the game,” Andrews said. “I’m very quick to defend officials…I’ve been drawn into nothing so far in the time I’ve been in charge because it’s such a difficult job.
“But it’s one I feel that they didn’t get right, tonight. And the explanation around the touch being too far away from goal doesn’t quite sit well with me after watching it back, because he’s clean through on goal.”
The incident is available to watch here.
In the Premier League, it seems likely a red card would have been awarded by VAR, but the video review system wasn’t in use for the League Cup clash.
The missed dismissal will be frustrating to Arsenal fans for a few reasons. Firstly, a City player has avoided a suspension in the midst of the title race, albeit not a key starter. And City avoided having to tire themselves out with 10 men for 75 minutes.
Secondly, City ended up winning the match 2-0, making the semi-finals and potentially setting up a final against Arsenal if both teams continue to progress.
But perhaps most relevant immediately is that referee Sam Barrott’s next game is Everton-Arsenal on Saturday. After his mistake in the City game, Arsenal fans won’t be confident that Barrott will get the big calls right this weekend.