Dermot Gallagher analyses Man City goals against Everton
Thursday 28 January 2016 22:42, UK
There was Capital One Cup controversy on Wednesday evening as Manchester City advanced to the final with a 3-1 win over Everton at the Etihad.
Toffees boss Roberto Martinez said it was "incredible" that City's second goal, which levelled the tie at 2-2 on aggregate, was allowed to stand after the ball had run out of play before Raheem Sterling crossed for Kevin De Bruyne to score.
There were also question marks over City's other two goals, with Sterling - standing in an offside position - appearing to block goalkeeper Joel Robles' line of sight for the opener and then Sergio Aguero potentially just offside for the third goal.
Former top-flight referee Dermot Gallagher joined Rob Wotton on Sky Sports Now to look back over the controversial calls and discuss whether they were correct or not.
The first goal
"The goalkeeper sets himself for the shot and it's only because the ball strikes Leighton Baines that Sterling is ever in the picture. I think that's a good call."
The second goal
"We had to look at it over and over again, it happens at speed and it was only just over the line. Referee Martin Atkinson can't see it because Sterling's body is obscuring it and I felt sorry for the assistant because he is looking right across the field, has two posts to look through, and by the time Sterling crosses it nobody is really aware.
"When you look in slow motion you can see it is just over the line - and it is only just. I sympathise with Roberto Martinez and also with the assistant Scott Ledger because I don't think he had any chance of seeing it.
"To the naked eye that would have been so difficult to spot for a guy who was 60-70 yards across the field."
The third goal
"The law is on the assistant's side. When you slow it down you can see Aguero's head is just in front of play, but nobody with the naked eye would ever be able to call that as offside when De Bruyne crosses the ball. The law says you have to be sure if he is offside and he can't be sure.
"The assistant is in the orthodox position when De Bruyne has the ball and then when he crosses he has to move forward. He can't beat the ball; they are fast but not that fast."
Would professional contracts for assistants help?
"It would allow assistants to train together, to study together and learn more and share experiences. It will take away the outside pressure of normal working jobs and all of that will ensure a better standard of officials."
