Ex-Premier League referee’s verdict on Erling Haaland penalty claim vs Brighton

Video Assistant Referee causes controversy every week in the Premier League, but how are decisions made, and are they correct?

There were a number of controversial calls during the Premier League clash last Saturday and Haaland was at the centre of most of them. 

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey believes Brighton were lucky not to concede a penalty for a foul on Erling Haaland but were “hard done by” with that of Bernardo Silva.

Westbrom fell to a 3-1 defeat at the Etihad on Saturday as a first-half double from Haaland and a wondergoal from Kevin De Bruyne late on secured all three points, despite Leandro Trossard giving the Visitor hope with a well-struck shot shortly after half time.

The game could have had a rather different complexion to it if Haaland had been given a penalty. In the 19th minute, Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Robert Sanchez appeared to catch the Man City striker as the striker attempted to take the ball around him.

Most would expect the VAR, Lee Mason, to award a penalty, but he looked at the incident but decided against awarding the hosts a spot kick, something Mark Halsey believes was the wrong decision.

However, shortly before the interval, the Cityzens were eventually given a penalty after Silva went down in the box after a coming together with Lewis Dunk.

“For the first penalty claim I thought Sanchez caught Haaland on the ankle and I was surprised the referee didn’t give a penalty and VAR didn’t get involved,” Mark Halsey told Sussex.

“The second penalty incident with Bernardo Silva, I thought he initiated the contact and stuck his leg out making contact with Lewis Dunk. Brighton were hard done by with that one but I think they got away with the first.

“I don’t know why VAR got involved in the second incident because it is not a clear and obvious error as Silva initiated the contact.”

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher also believes Erling Haaland should have been awarded a penalty against Brighton.

I think Penalty,” said Gallagaher speaking on Sky Sports Ref Watch. “For me, the reason they did not give it is because they feel it is minimal contact and the ball was running away from him.

“For me, that goalkeeper is no longer a goalkeeper. Once he decides to go with his feet, as far as I’m concerned he is a full-back and if a full back makes that tackle on a forward, then he’s penalised.

He added: “He has chosen not to be a goalkeeper, they felt it was not a foul but I think it was.”