GRAHAM POLL: Manchester City have been the victims of poor refereeing in their last three games

Manchester City have been victims of poor refereeing decisions in three consecutive games which have defined their season.

On Tuesday night at the Etihad it was a combination of Spanish referee Antonio Lahoz and his assistant, Pau Devis, who made the error which had a massive impact on this game.

City started well and got the early goal they needed and then just before half time Leroy Sane scored the vital second. 

The assistant flagged for offside but the ball had been played forward by Liverpool’s James Milner. I could understand the assistant thinking Gabriel Jesus had played the ball but from his position Lahoz should have over ruled him and allowed the goal.

Lahoz had started the game well, waving aside Virgil van Dyke’s appeal for a free kick in the build up to City’s opening goal – there was no foul. He was also right to wave away three City appeals for penalties.

There was also a nasty clash when Sadio Mane slipped and caught Nicolas Otamendi in the midriff and ‘keeper Ederson confronted the Senegalese. Yellow cards for both players were appropriate but Lahoz was a little too card happy in other incidents.

Pep Guardiola (left) protests with officials after the referee had blown for half-time 

Where he didn’t hesitate was in banishing Pep Guardiola to the stands for his protests at half time. Guardiola should know better as he needed to stay calm and lead his team by example. 

However, after the run of poor decisions he has suffered I could understand his frustration boiling over. City weren’t the same without him on the touchline.

Guardiola tells the referee to be quiet as he makes his way towards the tunnel at half-time