Simon Hooper SLAMMED for last-minute Man City decision

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 3 Dec 2023 19:23 GMT
• 6 min read

Simon Hooper has been heavily criticised for a very controversial decision made in the dying embers of Manchester City’s 3-3 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday evening.

With Dejan Kulusevski’s last-gasp header drawing Spurs level after Jack Grealish looked as though he’d won it for Man City, Pep Guardiola’s men sought an equaliser with mere minutes left on the clock.

A clear-cut chance was not created and Manuel Akanji’s shout for a penalty was waved away, but Grealish would’ve had an opportunity to put City in the lead once more if it wasn’t for a strange decision made by Hooper.

With Man City on the counter-attack, Erling Haaland was caught late, but the Norwegian managed to maintain his momentum and played a perfect through ball in-behind for Grealish to run onto.

Hooper initially played advantage, but once Haaland’s pass was about to reach Grealish, he blew for a free-kick, denying the former Aston Villa man a clear-cut opportunity to score.

On commentary for Sky Sports, Gary Neville quickly acknowledged Hooper’s error and said: “Oh no, oh no. Simon Hooper, he played on to start with, what's he done there.

“He did play the advantage that was a real surprise, Haaland gets fouled and he lets that go a bit and then blows there. He sees the pass, really strange one.”

Neville was not the only one bemused by Hooper’s decision, while Haaland vented his frustration at the referee when the incident happened and at full-time.

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