SunSport's Whistleblower thinks Anthony Taylor was about to make the right call before he suddenly changed his mind as the Latics kicked off
FABIAN DELPH’S challenge on Max Power was reckless and a yellow card.
But I didn’t think it was a challenge that endangered a player’s safety with excessive force and brutality.
Obviously, referee Anthony Taylor initially felt the same way because he got the yellow card out straightaway.
TV pictures clearly showed Taylor was even writing the player’s number on his card.
The reaction of the Wigan players and management staff towards Taylor and fourth official Jeremy Simpson has influenced the decision-making.
Once Taylor has the yellow out — rightly or wrongly — he should have gone with his original call. It’s a basic error.
45.56: Fabian Delph puts in a reckless challenge on Max Power with his studs showing.
45.59: Ref Anthony Taylor has his yellow card out and starts writing Delph’s name down — before Wigan’s players apply pressure on the ref.
46.10: Latics boss Paul Cook does the same with fourth official Jeremy Simpson.
46.15: Taylor suddenly has a red card in his hand.
46.18: Taylor sends Delph off, ruling him out of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final — the City players go nuts as Taylor says, ‘over the top of the ball’.
46.31: Cook and Pep Guardiola argue on the touchline.
47.12: Cook and Sergio Aguero also exchange words.
47.18: Pep is unhappy Cook is in the City technical area.
47.31: Ref Taylor speaks to Cook about his conduct.
48.11: Taylor blows for half-time and the bosses continue to row in the tunnel as Cook appears to say, ‘It’s a red card’.
City sub Ederson pushes Cook, who reacts and Peter Reid separates both chiefs.
Guardiola urges his players to get into the dressing room.
Taylor was not happy with the conduct of the Wigan staff and that’s why he spoke to manager Paul Cook.
There will be no FA action on that but the officials haven’t seen what followed between Cook and Pep Guardiola in the tunnel at half-time.
I expect the FA to ask both clubs for their observations and charges may follow.
