Brentford Decry Referee Decisions in 3-0 Defeat to Manchester City

Manchester City beat Brentford 3–0 in a crucial fixture on 27 April 2024, with goals from Jérémy Doku, Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush. The win moved City within two points of league leaders Arsenal.

Brentford boss Andrews and captain Collins criticise ref's decisions in City defeat

City’s victory tightened the title race, cutting Arsenal’s lead to three points ahead of Arsenal’s match with West Ham United.

Brentford boss Andrews and captain Collins criticise ref's decisions in City defeat

• Keith Andrews – Brentford head coach.

Andrews insists Brentford should have been awarded penalty

• Nathan Collins – Brentford captain.

Man City 3-0 Brentford: Keith Andrews baffled by decision not to give Bees second-half penalty as three decisions go Pep Guardiola's way

• Kevin Schade – Brentford winger involved in two disputed incidents.

Brentford boss Andrews and captain Collins criticise ref's decisions in City defeat

• Matheus Nunes – Manchester City midfielder involved in the alleged foul on Schade.

Brentford boss Andrews and captain Collins criticise ref's decisions in City defeat

• Michael Salisbury – referee; James Bell – VAR official who reviewed the penalty claim.

Brentford boss Andrews and captain Collins criticise ref's decisions in City defeat

• Final score 3–0; Brentford remain eighth with two games left and still in European contention.

Andrews insists Brentford should have been awarded penalty

• The match featured three contentious decisions: a denied penalty for Schade, an arm swing by Bernardo Silva on Collins, and a first-half challenge on Schade.

Man City 3-0 Brentford: Keith Andrews baffled by decision not to give Bees second-half penalty as three decisions go Pep Guardiola's way

Andrews praised his side’s bravery but said the penalty should have been awarded. Collins noted the team entered “without fear” and that the disputed calls shifted momentum.

Brentford boss Andrews and captain Collins criticise ref's decisions in City defeat

Andrews and Collins argued the referee’s “not enough contact” rationale denied Brentford a realistic equaliser and questioned the consistency of Silva’s booking versus the absence of a red card.

Man City 3-0 Brentford: Keith Andrews baffled by decision not to give Bees second-half penalty as three decisions go Pep Guardiola's way

Replays show Nunes made slight contact with the ball while challenging Schade, leading to disagreement on whether a foul or a red card was warranted. VAR official James Bell did not overturn Salisbury’s decision, and no clarification has been issued.

Man City 3-0 Brentford: Keith Andrews baffled by decision not to give Bees second-half penalty as three decisions go Pep Guardiola's way

• “I thought Kevin Schade's one in the second half was a penalty. So that was really disappointing,” — Keith Andrews, Brentford head coach

Man City 3-0 Brentford: Keith Andrews baffled by decision not to give Bees second-half penalty as three decisions go Pep Guardiola's way

• “He later added in his press conference: "In what world he goes down unless there's contact is beyond me.” — Keith Andrews, Brentford head coach

Man City 3-0 Brentford: Keith Andrews baffled by decision not to give Bees second-half penalty as three decisions go Pep Guardiola's way

• “We wanted to come here without fear.” — Nathan Collins, Brentford captain

Brentford boss Andrews and captain Collins criticise ref's decisions in City defeat

Brentford’s next league match is against Crystal Palace at home, where Andrews expects the “Gtech” to deliver a strong performance. Arsenal will face West Ham United at the London Stadium on 10 May, a fixture that could restore their lead in the title race.

Brentford boss Andrews and captain Collins criticise ref's decisions in City defeat