Webb agrees with Foden red card but says Fernandes should have been booked for 'petulant' kick
Quick summary
PGMOL chief Howard Webb confirmed Phil Foden's red card in the Manchester derby was correct, but admitted Bruno Fernandes escaped a yellow card for a petulant kick on the same player.
Full article
Attributed to original sourcePro Ref chief Howard Webb has backed the decision to send off Phil Foden in the Manchester derby but revealed VAR could not intervene to caution Bruno Fernandes for the "petulant" kick that sparked the altercation.
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What happened
In his latest 'Match Officials: Mic'd Up' segment, PGMOL chief Howard Webb reviewed the controversial moments from the Manchester derby between Manchester City and Manchester United. Webb agreed that Phil Foden's sending off for a high challenge was justified, but acknowledged that Bruno Fernandes should have received a yellow card for a 'petulant' kick in the same incident. The review highlighted inconsistencies in officiating during high-stakes Premier League matches, with Webb using the analysis to explain the rationale behind both decisions to the public.
Chance analysis
Howard Webb's public review of the Manchester derby officiating shines a light on the fine margins that shape title-race fixtures. By validating Foden's red while flagging Fernandes' unpunished petulance, the PGMOL is effectively admitting an officiating imbalance that arguably altered the tactical shape of the match for Manchester City. For United supporters, the debate will linger as another example of selective enforcement, while City face a fixture list now complicated by the loss of their most creative attacker to suspension.
Foden's suspension weakens Manchester City's attacking depth for their next match, while Fernandes avoids further disciplinary risk despite the admitted foul.