Manchester Evening News journalist Alex Brotherton has reacted to VAR’s decision not to award a penalty during Manchester City‘s clash against Brentford in the Premier League this afternoon.
Pep Guardiola’s side missed the chance to move temporarily top of the Premier League table courtesy of a shock 2-1 home defeat to Brentford at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon.
Ivan Toney quickly put aside the setback of not being named in England’s World Cup squad with both goals for the Bees, netting the winner in the eighth of 10 minutes added time at the end of the game.
One of the most notable moments other than the goals was when Rico Henry stuck out an arm on the edge of the penalty area to try and prevent Bernardo Silva’s cross coming in from the byline, but despite a VAR check, no spot kick was given.
Taking to Twitter, Brotherton was shocked by the decision and insisted that City should have been handed the chance to score from the 12-yards spot.
He fumed: “Peter Walton saying on BT Sport that there was no conclusive evidence that the handball took place inside the box – looked pretty clear to me that the ball was on the line. Should have been a penalty.”
Just as Brotherton, many Man City fans are also shocked by the decision. Here’s what some have been saying on Twitter.
“Well it definitely wasn’t outside”
Credit: @mcfc_hf
“They can do lines to the nearest finger nail for offsides, but not to establish whether ball contact in or out of the box? Poor.”
Credit: @Dawson_WA
“It was clearly on the line, if its on the line it counts as in.”
Credit: @ShirtEater9000
“Was clearly on the line. Var is a joke”
Credit: @HenryProudlock
“That is literally on the line.. its a pen”
Credit: @pepthebaldgenie
