Sky Sports pundits Les Ferdinand and Paul Merson looked at Gabriel Magalhaes’ goal against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, with a particular focus on the build-up to the header.
Before jumping for the ball, Gabriel pushed Cristian Romero as the Spurs defender tried to block his run. With Romero out of the way, it was a free header and a simple goal.
But the question was raised as to whether the contact was enough for a free-kick to be given.
“If a centre-forward does that, the referee gives a foul against him,” Ferdinand said. “They (VAR) don’t even look at it.
“He does need to be stronger, it’s poor defending, but he does get a shove in his back.”
“I’d be disappointed if I didn’t get a foul,” Merson added. “He’s in the wrong position, everything’s wrong about his defending…[but] I’d expect a foul.”
The comments are interesting, given they’re in direct contrast to what fellow Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said about a reverse incident involving Gabriel last season.
On that occasion, Newcastle United’s Joelinton pushed Gabriel to the ground to get to the ball, but Neville argued that it wasn’t a foul.
“There’s an angle where it looks like a foul because Joelinton’s got his arms out, but that’s not a foul for me,” Neville said. “Gabriel’s thrown himself forward…for me, that isn’t a foul.
“In the end, there’s no conclusive evidence. There was nothing that told me strongly enough that that wasn’t a goal.”
Arsenal fans will be pleased that they’re on the other side of the decision this time around, even if the Sky pundits continue to suggest the calls should have gone against them.
