Ex-Ref makes claim about Fernandinho v Liverpool

We can’t believe that Manchester City holding midfielder Fernandinho ended yesterday without a yellow card!

The Brazilian made countless tough challenges which were given as fouls, but somehow remained out of referee Martin Atkinson’s book.

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In the second-half, Fernandinho stuck his forearm into the neck of Sadio Mane, and former ref Keith Hackett reckons it was probably a red card offence on its own.

Hackett has suggested that Fernandinho got away with it because he doesn’t have a reputation.

“It was a classic example of a player’s reputation getting them out of a potentially tricky situation,” Hackett told the Telegraph. “Simply put, the Brazilian does not have a reputation as a dirty player.

“He makes the occasional foul, obviously, but he is rarely involved in incidents of violent conduct and always behaves in a polite and respectful manner towards officials. That does make a difference when it comes to these types of incidents.

“I must say I don’t think Martin saw the incident clearly, because if he had I am sure he would have sent Fernandinho off.

“But the fact it was Fernandinho means he may not have looked quite as closely at it as he might have done if it were a player with a reputation as a nasty piece of work.”

We would have had a great chance to snatch a winner if City were down to ten men, but in the end, we were happy to maintain our unbeaten record considering Riyad Mahrez had a chance to win the game for the visitors via the penalty spot in injury time.

The 0-0 draw puts us level on points with City and Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table, although we’re technically in third due to our goal difference.

After the international break, we’ve got a run of fixtures in which we should pick up wins and a number of goals, too.