Credit: MOTD

Keith Hackett

Thu 27 February 2025 7:10, UK

Erling Haaland criticised referee Jarred Gillett after he had a late goal disallowed in Manchester City’s 1-0 win at Tottenham on Wednesday night.

Haaland, 24, scored his 28th goal of the season in the first half but was fuming not to have had his 29th after it was chalked off for a supposed handball in the eighth minute of stoppage time at the end of the game.

Gillett’s on-field decision was that Haaland handled the ball after a bit of pinball in the box with Spurs’ Archie Gray and Kevin Danso.

VAR Graham Scott checked the incident and couldn’t find a clear and obvious reason to overturn Gillett’s call and Haaland’s goal remained disallowed.

Haaland risks ban as Man City star blasts ‘big mistake’

Haaland spoke about Gillet’s controversial decision on BBC Match of the Day on Wednesday night (26 February). He said: “He made the decision on the pitch it was a free-kick.

“I don’t think it is. I think it’s clearly a big mistake but we’re humans, we make mistakes.

“I think it was a goal and I don’t think it was a handball at all.

“For me, it’s more a handball from the defender but what can we do?”

Former PGMOL general manager Keith Hackett assessed Haaland’s comments after the game.

While the Norway striker was honest, the former Premier League referee doesn’t believe what he said warrants any kind of punishment from the FA.

“No I didn’t think his comments will see any sanction issued,” Hackett told Tottenham News.

“I am still unsure that it was Haaland that handled the ball – or it even made contact with his arm.

“Referee Gillett, who officiated really well, was quick and confident in his decision-making.

“If there was any contact with the ball then I think it is the Tottenham player.

“I do not expect any sanction on Haaland who was offering an opinion in a reasonable manner.”

Tottenham fail to contain Haaland as good run ends

Ange Postecoglou and his Tottenham side lost for the first time in the Premier League since January after three successive Premier League wins.

Ultimately, the best striker in the world was the one who prevented Spurs’ from being able to extend their winning streak but it’s not as though Spurs didn’t have chances themselves in the second half with Pedro Porro peppering the Man City box with high-quality crosses from the right.

Although it was a loss, the performance will have been a promising sign for Postecoglou, who will now have his sights set on beating AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League next Thursday.