Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva said “all 50-50s have gone against us” as he hit out at Darren England’s performance in a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest which handed the initiative to Arsenal in the Premier League title race.
England denied Man City what Silva felt was a clear penalty when Erling Haaland appeared to be clipped by Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels with the hosts leading 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
A brief VAR review found no case to answer before Elliot Anderson equalised moments later, with City’s two dropped points leaving them seven adrift of league leaders Arsenal – who won 1-0 at Brighton – although they retain a game in hand over the Gunners.
Haaland had another half-shout for a penalty when he claimed his arm was tugged by Neco Williams before half-time, while Rodri went to ground under contact from Nikola Milenkovic late on.
“We’re quite used to it this season,” Silva told TNT Sports. “All the 50-50s have gone against us. It’s the reality. I’ve just watched the Erling incident. For me, it’s a penalty.
“Some people might argue a different opinion. What can Erling do? We’re used to it this season. We know how it works. Our job is just to be better, because we cannot control these things.
“What we can control is our own performances, and that is what we need to focus on.”
Matz Sels sent Haaland tumbling shortly before Elliot Anderson’s equaliser – but nothing was given by referee Darren England or VAR
Guardiola focuses on positives despite latest setback
A five-game winning streak coupled with Arsenal’s draw at bottom side Wolves a fortnight ago had put the fate of the Premier League title in City’s hands, but their Forest setback now means the Gunners can wrap up their first league trophy since 2004 should they win seven of their remaining eight games.
Despite that, manager Pep Guardiola refused to be downbeat on his side’s hopes of lifting the title, but said their focus would turn entirely to this weekend’s FA Cup fifth-round trip to Newcastle.
“We did everything,” Guardiola told TNT Sports. “We didn’t concede much and we had the chances at the end especially.
“We keep going. They tried to do the best they could – when you see how they run – but in a game at home, at this stage of the season, it’s important [to win] but we keep going and look forward, not back.
“Nothing to say [on the penalty shouts]. Now it’s onto Newcastle in the FA Cup, the Champions League, and game by game.
“We are used to playing in a lot of competitions and going from game to game. There’s a lot of games to play, we have to continue.”
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Highlights from the Premier League match between Manchester City and Nottingham Forest.
Analysis: Time running out for City as Arsenal pull clear
Sky Sports’ Laura Hunter at Etihad Stadium:
Asked how he might approach recovery from such a damaging setback, Pep Guardiola replied defiantly: “All together, as we always have done.” Problem is, City are now running out of time in their efforts to catch Arsenal.
Wednesday’s draw put an end to City’s seven-match winning run at home in all competitions, and also marks the first time they have conceded two or more goals at the Etihad since November. Genuine belief in this title push is surely slipping.
Overall, City have dropped 13 points from winning positions this season, a tally inconsistent with champions. You cannot help but think that if this title were meant to end up in Manchester this year then Savinho’s stoppage-time effort somehow sneaks in, rather than being turned off the line by Murillo.
Or perhaps Erling Haaland is awarded one of the two penalties he claimed for. Or another of the five big chances created are actually taken. To let a lead slip twice in the same game means they have also foregone their right to control the run-in.
Before drawing with Forest, City were in a position where if they won all their remaining games – including hosting Arsenal – the crown was theirs. That luxury no longer exists, and that is as much a psychological blow as it is a material one. Mikel Arteta will be quietly delighted.
