The PGMOL has revealed John Stones’ controversial last-gasp winner for Man City against Wolves was disallowed on-field before VAR recommended a review.
Bernardo Silva was stood in front of Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa before Stones headed in and was adjudged to be offside by referee Chris Kavanagh.
However, VAR Stuart Attwell disagreed with the decision because Silva moved before Stones connected with the ball and he sent Kavanagh to his monitor, which led to the goal being given.
Only offside was considered in the decision and review. Bernardo Silva’s nudge into Sa was not deemed to have been a foul.
Bernardo Silva leans into Jose Sa before John Stones’ winner
The PGMOL statement read: “Stones’ goal was disallowed on-field due to Bernardo Silva being in an offside position and in the goalkeeper’s line of vision.
“The VAR deemed Bernardo Silva wasn’t in the line of vision and had no impact on the goalkeeper and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned his original decision and a goal was awarded.”
Wolves triggered a vote to get rid of VAR in June. Of the 20 Premier League clubs, only Wolves voted to scrap the system.
Analysis: Two issues at play in Man City’s late winner
There are two key elements to Man City’s late winner and how the officials have interpreted the passage of play.
First – Is Bernardo Silva offside as he is in the line of sight of goalkeeper Sa? The PGMOL has stated this was the reason the goal was initially ruled out. VAR deemed Bernardo Silva wasn’t in Sa’s line of sight and advised an on-field review [after the goal was initially disallowed] which ultimately awarded the goal.
The key question: Where was Bernardo Silva when Stones made contact with his header? The answer: Well out of Sa’s line of sight.
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Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge discuss the late controversy from Molineux, as Bernardo Silva seemed to nudge Jose Sa, in an offside position, moments before Manchester City’s late winner against Wolves.
Secondly – Did Bernardo Silva foul Sa? This is an issue which hasn’t been addressed by PGMOL in its subsequent post on X but we have guidance the incident was not judged to be a foul.
“There’s a slight nudge that puts the keeper off balance so he’s not set [when Stones heads the ball] so I can understand why Wolves will feel aggrieved at this particular moment,” said Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards.
“I do believe he’s impacted the goalkeeper’s ability to save it,” added Sky Sports’ Daniel Sturridge.
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Pep Guardiola and Bernardo Silva were engaged in an intense conversation following Manchester City’s controversial late winner against Wolves.
O’Neil: We’ve not had many go in our favour
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil to Sky Sports:
“I managed to remain calm [after the goal was given]. I have been involved in a few of those at Wolves. We’ve not had many go in our favour. I was expecting the outcome we got.
“There is some grey area there, and some minutiae that you can go either way on that decision. I wasn’t too confident that it would go our way.
“Some similarities to our one against West Ham last season. We’ve sent some images to the referee, with clear proof that the West Ham goalkeeper could see the ball.
“The reason we were given was that Tawanda Chirewa was in such close proximity to the goalkeeper that he did have an impact on him. Bernardo Silva is probably less than a yard away from Jose Sa.
“The same argument could be made, but I am sure they will tell us it was the right call and everyone got it right.”
