Steven Gerrard insisted Philippe Coutinho was denied a “legitimate goal” that could have earned Aston Villa victory against Manchester City and said the officials conceded they had made an error after he spoke with them after the draw.
The referee, Simon Hooper, blew his whistle just before Coutinho sent a shot from 25 yards in off the underside of the crossbar, shortly after Leon Bailey had equalised, because the assistant referee, Adrian Holmes, had incorrectly flagged for offside. The video assistant referee, Mike Dean, could have reviewed the goal if play had been allowed to continue.
“I saw a legitimate goal but obviously I am biased,” Gerrard said of the incident 10 minutes from time. “The referee did the same at the other end with [Ezri] Konsa [when he challenged] on the keeper [Ederson]. He was desperate on the whistle which went against us twice in the game.”
Gerrard discussed the incident with the officials after the game and he said they acknowledged their mistake. “They recognised they were too quick on the whistle,” the Villa manager said. “I’ve asked for their side of it. I always try and understand their side of it. But the referee has blown the whistle too soon.
“I know there is a slight rule change in terms of not waiting too long for these whistles and flags and I understand that rule change but I think when something is so tight it is worth that little bit of extra time. We could have scored a second goal and that moment and the decision has gone against us. But fair play to the officials [because] they recognised that in the room afterwards.”
Erling Haaland’s 10th goal in six matches had given City the lead five minutes into the second half before Bailey levelled. Pep Guardiola was disappointed his side did not take their chances. Kevin De Bruyne struck the crossbar with a free-kick and the substitute Riyad Mahrez was guilty of firing wide late on.
“We didn’t play bad,” the City manager said. “We only conceded one shot on target in 90 minutes and unfortunately they scored a goal. We were not precise in our game in the final third. A lot of players not fine in the simple things and that is why sometimes this happens, but it’s OK, one point and we keep going. We are human beings, we are football players and this happens.”