Why Ederson wasn’t sent off for Manchester City in crucial Premier League win at Arsenal

The Manchester City goalkeeper had already been yellow carded when he brought down Eddie Nketiah in the penalty area, but he escaped without another booking

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Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson escaped a red card when he gave away a penalty at Arsenal, despite the Brazilian having already been booked.

The City stopper was initially cautioned for time-wasting just 36 minutes into clash, when City were 1-0 up courtesy of Kevin De Bruyne’s well-taken lofted effort.

But when he then collided with Eddie Nketiah in the City box and referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot, many Gunners fans expected to see a second yellow brandished in Ederson’s direction.

But Taylor didn’t send the Brazilian off.

Gunners fans everywhere fumed at the decision, but the nature of it – as Nketiah jumped into Ederson and the pair collided – meant that Taylor didn’t see any malice in the goalkeeper’s action.

Discussing the incident at half-time on Amazon Prime Video, former referee Chris Foy agreed with Taylor’s decision, saying that Ederson had been “careless and not reckless” in his actions.

Ederson escaped a red card (

Image:

Amazon Prime Video)

He added: “No we don’t [want this type of penalty given all the time], but it’s a good decision and it’s an accurate decision because even though he’s played the ball, Nketiah, he’s clearly tripped by him.”

Former Arsenal and City defender Gael Clichy, working as a pundit for Amazon Prime Video, agreed Ederson should not have been sent off.

“I think as a ref sometimes, if you give a second yellow you kill the game,” he said.

“The Arsenal fans will want that, but I think it’s sensible to keep the game alive.

Ederson was booked for the challenge (

Image:

Getty Images)

“No [doubt over whether it was a penalty], not at all. We talk about follow throughs with anyone on the pitch, if the defender commits a foul like this it’s a free-kick so there’s no excuse on this one.

“It’s a shame because it’s under control, the defender saves on the line, but that is a penalty, 100 per cent.”

BBC Radio Five Live pundit Chris Sutton agreed, saying: “A booking would’ve been harsh for that [Ederson challenge], he has made a genuine attempt to block the shot or get to the ball in front of Eddie Nketiah – he didn’t and it was a mistimed challenge.

“I don’t think it was a yellow card in any way.”

Saka scored his penalty, despite Ederson’s best efforts to put him off, but City ultimately ran out 3-1 winners thank to second half goals from Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland.