'Wow' - Ex-refs chief can't believe 'deliberate handball' missed in Man City loss to Brighton

Ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett says Manchester City should have been awarded a penalty for deliberate handball by Luka Vuskovic in the first half of their 1-0 loss to Brighton.

Manchester City lost 1-0 to Brighton on Saturday in a match marred by a controversial refereeing decision. Yasin Ayari scored for Brighton after just 11 minutes at the Etihad Stadium, with the goal coming from a Maxim De Cuyper cross.

City dominated possession and created numerous chances, with Bart Verbruggen making seven saves to keep out 1.74 expected goals. However, the strongest talking point came before half-time when the ball was headed by Diego Gomez directly onto the outstretched arm of Brighton defender Luka Vuskovic inside the penalty box. Referee Craig Pawson and VAR official John Brooks both dismissed the appeal.

Former PGMOL head and FIFA referee Keith Hackett told Football Insider the decision was wrong: "The player has enough time available to withdraw his outstretched arm that is clearly making his body shape bigger. That is a deliberate handball and should have resulted in a penalty kick." The defeat is City's second consecutive Premier League loss, following their defeat to Aston Villa.