Erling Haaland said Arsenal defender Gabriel ought to have been sent off after an on-pitch confrontation during Manchester City’s 2-1 win over the Gunners on Sunday. The Norway striker had just muscled past Gabriel to score the decisive goal when the two squared up and the Brazilian leaned his head toward Haaland; referee Anthony Taylor booked both players.
Former referee Mike Dean said afterwards that Gabriel was fortunate to avoid a red card, a view Haaland echoed. Haaland suggested his decision to stay on his feet — a tactic his father encouraged — likely prevented a harsher punishment for Gabriel. He admitted that going down would have made it easier for the referee to send Gabriel off, but added he chose not to and was shown only a yellow.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, also felt Gabriel dodged a red, saying any forward movement toward another player’s head “is usually a red.” Neville said he was surprised Taylor booked both players and suggested Haaland’s restraint altered the referee’s decision.
The incident was analyzed on Ref Watch, where former referee Dermot Gallagher and pundit Jay Bothroyd reached different conclusions. Gallagher supported the double-yellow outcome, arguing Gabriel’s head moved to the front rather than through Haaland and praising Haaland for not going to ground. He called Gabriel’s action unwise but said the booking was fair.
Bothroyd disagreed, describing Gabriel’s motion toward Haaland’s face as violent conduct and noting similar actions have led to sendings-off. He agreed with Haaland that, had the striker gone down clutching his face, Gabriel likely would have been dismissed and faced a possible multi-match ban.
Haaland’s late winner leaves City three points adrift of the league leaders but with a game in hand; a victory against Burnley would return Pep Guardiola’s side to the top. Reflecting on Arsenal, Haaland declined to overstate City’s psychological advantage, saying Arsenal have been strong this season and are still top for now. He insisted City should concentrate on themselves, recover properly and focus on the next match in a few days.