'Just a flick' or 'violent'? Debating Foden's red card

[Getty Images] The disputed Erling Haaland goal came after a first half laced with controversy, with Phil Foden shown a straight red for kicking out at midfielder Bruno Fernandes. Manchester City midfielder Foden picked up the ball wide on the right-hand side in his own half and was closed down by Fernandes, who tripped him. Foden then kicked out at the body of the Manchester United captain while on the ground and was shown a straight red card by the referee. Replays showed that Fernandes kicked Foden in the back first, before the City man retaliated. The incident was checked by the VAR, who confirmed the on-field decision; Fernandes was not shown a card. Pundits were divided on whether Foden should have seen red and whether Fernandes was the man at fault. Former United forward Wayne Rooney did not believe it was a red, saying "it was more of a flick or a gesture, than a kick out". Ex-United defender Gary Neville said he was "surprised" Fernandes did not receive a booking for his role while former Old Trafford midfielder Roy Keane said the fault lay with the Portuguese. "Foden gets up and reacts obviously, so he's sent off," he said. "Fernandes catches him and gives him a little kick. I guess it's classed as violent. But Fernandes is the one who is violent here - I don't think Foden should have a red card." Dale Johnson, BBC Sport football issues correspondent, said: "The referee and VAR would have to deem it violent conduct rather than just petulance from Fernandes. "The guidance changed some years ago to factor that in, so David Beckham's kick on Diego Simeone in the 1998 World Cup would not result in a sending off today. "It looked to me like there was little to no contact from Fernandes, and if there was it was limited force and wasn't followed through. "So Bruno's act would be seen as a yellow card offence, which the VAR obviously can't get involved in." Watch ex-Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy and Rooney debate the sending off on Match of the Day below... Watch Sunday's episode of Match of the Day on BBC iPlayer