Independent Panel Deems Manchester City's First Penalty in 5-1 Victory Over Wolves as Unjust; Also Rules on Arsenal's Spot-Kick and Bournemouth 'Goal' Decision

An independent panel has said that Manchester City’s first penalty in their victory over Wolves last weekend shouldn’t have been awarded.

City, who are looking to retain the Premier League title, secured an emphatic 5-1 win at home to Wolves.

Pep Guardiola’s side took the lead in the 12th minute at the Etihad Stadium after Erling Haaland scored from the spot.

The penalty was awarded after Wolves defender Rayan Ait-Nouri was deemed to have fouled City’s Josko Gvardiol.

As reported by BBC Sport, a five-person Key Match Panel voted by a majority of 3-2 that referee Craig Pawson shouldn’t have awarded a penalty.

An independent panel says Man City’s first penalty against Wolves shouldn’t have been

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The panel consists of three former Premier League players or coaches, one representative of the Premier League and one from the referees’ body, the Professional Game Match Officials Board.

The majority of the panel deemed the on-field decision incorrect for the aforementioned incident because of it being ‘a coming together due to the normal actions of both players and the challenge is not reckless’.

Two of the panellists felt that Ait-Nouri had committed a foul. However, all five panellists stated that there wasn’t sufficient grounds for VAR to intervene.

Haaland scored for goals for City, with substitute Julian Alvarez also finding the net, while Hwang Hee-Chan scored for Wolves.

The panel was split 3-2 in support of referee David Coote’s decision to disallow Bournemouth’s goal against Arsenal, which was scored by Antoine Semenyo

The panel were split 3-2 in support of Coote’s decision to award Arsenal a penalty after Kai Havertz was brought down by Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers

Meanwhile, the panel was split 3-2 in support of referee David Coote’s decision to disallow Bournemouth’s goal against Arsenal, which was scored by Antoine Semenyo.

The goal was disallowed following a push from Bournemouth striker on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.

The panel were split 3-2 in support of Coote’s decision to award Arsenal a penalty after Kai Havertz was brought down by Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers. They voted 5-0 that VAR should have intervened with the decision.

Arsenal beat Bournemouth 3-0, with Bukayo Saka opening the scoring with a penalty before Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice scored.