The decision to overturn the penalty and red card against Man City and Kyle Walker this weekend was correct, according to former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher.
Midway through the second half of City ‘s goalless draw with the Saints, Walker was adjudged to have brought down Adam Armstrong in the box after a challenge from behind stopped him getting a shot away.
However after consulting with VAR and watching the incident on the pitchside monitor, Jonathan Moss overturned not only the red card but also the penalty which left Southampton furious.
But speaking on Sky Sports’ “ref watch” on Monday morning, former leading referee Gallagher believes that while it’s a tough call the right decision was made in the end by the official.
“I think this is a very complex and interesting issue,” Gallagher said. “My initial reaction was penalty and yellow card. Having seen it again, the only certainty is that it isn’t a red card. He makes a challenge for the ball, which means no double jeopardy.
“I don’t think it’s a penalty now I’ve seen the replay. The angle the referee looked at, that convinced him, shows Armstrong overrun the ball. I think Walker gets around him, and Armstrong goes in and catches Walker on the back of the calf. I think the referee got it right having looked at the monitor.
“I think Walker just gets in front of Armstrong, and Armstrong actually goes into the back of Walker’s leg.”
The red card being overturned means Walker is available for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup game against Wycome as well as the Premier League clash with Chelsea at the weekend.
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