Man City benefit from ‘incredibly harsh’ penalty decision, while Ederson ‘a fortunate boy’ after collision with Konrad Laimer

Manchester City marched onto the Champions League quarter-finals thanks to Erling Haaland’s brilliance, although they did the rub of the green against RB Leipzig.

Erling Haaland put City 2-0 up and 3-1 up on aggregate as he netted twice in as many minutes for Pep Guardiola’s side in their second leg clash at the Etihad Stadium.

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City were awarded a penalty after the ball hit Leipzig defender Benjamin Henrich’s arm

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Haaland made no mistake from the spot

City’s dominance in the opening stages means their lead was most certainly deserved, but the manner of their first goal has caused controversy.

They were awarded a penalty following a VAR check for a handball on Leipzig defender Benjamin Henrichs.

He was not facing the ball when it hit his arm but after looking at the replay, referee Slavko Vincic pointed to the spot.

talkSPORT host Adrian Durham did not believe the decision was fair, saying: “That’s incredibly harsh.”

Former Blackburn defender Micky Gray agreed, adding: “We’re in this stadium and no one appealed it.

“Is it a good thing we have VAR or not? I think it’s harsh.”

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He scored his side’s second goal of the night just moments later

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Haaland was on hand to score his penalty just moments later, putting City 2-1 up on aggregate.

The 22-year-old was quick to add their second, heading in from close range after Kevin de Bruyne’s thumping effort hit the crossbar.

Nothing controversial about that goal but City goalkeeper Ederson may have been let off the hook on 34 minutes as he escaped punishment after clattering into Leipzig’s Konrad Laimer.

The Brazilian didn’t receive a yellow or red card for the challenge – a foul wasn’t even given. Former Chelsea man Timo Werner was booked for his protests.

Gray said: “I think Ederson is a very fortunate boy, here.”

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On another night Ederson would’ve been penalised for this collision

Haaland then added his and City’s third, lashing the ball in on the goal-line after Ruben Dias’ header was saved onto the post.

Ilkay Gundogan extended their lead in the opening stages of the second half before Haaland scored a sensational fourth and fifth of the night.

De Bruyne capped off City’s performance with a superb strike as they ran away 7-0 winners on the night and 8-1 on aggregate.

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