BUNGLING Premier League chiefs were at the centre of a VAR storm after crediting David Silva with a goal.
Video referee Jonathan Moss gave City’s second to Kevin De Bruyne, but the league’s website awarded it to Silva.
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However, if the Spaniard had touched the ball, the goal should have been disallowed as Raheem Sterling was offside.
Villa boss Dean Smith said: “Silva certainly touched it and goes away celebrating that he touched it, which is a giveaway who has scored.
“But when he touches it Sterling is offside and clearly impedes our goalkeeper.”
When asked if he was claiming the goal, De Bruyne said: “No, David said he touched it.”
But a statement from the Premier League said: “Manchester City’s second goal was given because there was no definitive angle or view for VAR to show that David Silva had touched the ball.
“When Kevin De Bruyne strikes it the check was made whether Raheem Sterling was offside and he was shown to be onside.”
Last night Silva was officially credited with the goal.
Former top referee Mark Halsey said: “The footage was clear enough that Silva did touch the ball and referee Graham Scott should have had a look for himself.
“The way Silva celebrated showed he thought he had scored the goal.”
The Premier League later tweeted: “After review, the Goal Accreditation Panel has awarded Manchester City’s second goal to David Silva.
“The GAP is an independent entity which has no affiliation with VAR.”
The win took City back into second spot, three points behind Liverpool.
Sterling had opened the scoring and Ilkay Gundogan got the third. Fernandinho was sent off late on.
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