Manchester City midfielder Rodri was accused of trying to get Arsenal’s Kai Havertz sent off after just two seconds of the Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium.
Sunday’s huge clash in Manchester had barely kicked off before proceedings were paused by a clash between Rodri and Havertz.
The Man City kick-off made its way back to goalkeeper Ederson and Havertz ran into Rodri as he tried to make his way up the pitch to close him down, causing the midfielder to fall to the ground.
Referee Michael Oliver did not think the incident was serious and gestured for the game to continue until it was clear Rodri wanted medical treatment.
Several Manchester City players appeared to ask Olivier whether the clash deserved a VAR check and possible punishment to Havertz but the game soon continued after Rodri received some treatment.
The Spaniard was clearly angered by the early clash, however, and gave a sarcastic thumbs-up gesture to Havertz before play continued.
Arsenal fans were less than impressed by Rodri’s reaction, with Piers Morgan mocking the Manchester City star, who was later forced off due to a knee injury.
‘Poor Rodri, is he still alive? Looked a really savage light brush with Havertz’s hand,’ he posted on X.
‘Rodri should get booked for that play-acting,’ another supporter said. ‘Havertz didn’t touch him in the face, but the man went down holding his face…’
Another disgruntled fan said: ‘Rodri jumps in the way of Havertz, takes the contact, and falls down.
’30 seconds in – has to be the earliest dive I’ve ever seen in a match. That’s embarrassing.’
The first-half of Sunday’s Premier League clash turned out to be one of the most eventful and intriguing 45 minutes seen in the English top-flight.
Erling Haaland gave Manchester City an early lead, scoring his 100th goal for the Premier League champions, before Arsenal scored twice to turn the game around.
Riccardo Calafiori’s equaliser caused uproar within the Manchester City squad, with Pep Guardiola responding by kicking and break a chair in his dugout.
Gabriel’s header just before half-time gave Arsenal the lead but the Gunners, chasing a first league title since 2004, were reduced to ten men shortly after as Leandro Trossard picked up a second yellow card for kicking the ball away.
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