Alious
Jamie Carragher has raised eyebrows over a crucial VAR decision in Friday night’s Premier League encounter between Manchester City and Wolves, suggesting that Rayan Ait-Nouri was fortunate to avoid a red card following a second-half incident.
Wolves entered the clash brimming with confidence, aiming to extend a six-match winning run. They showed intent from the first whistle, with early opportunities for Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Rayan Ait-Nouri putting City under pressure. Despite their aggressive start, it was Kevin De Bruyne’s clinical strike in the first half that ultimately sealed a 1-0 victory for the defending champions at the Etihad.
While Wolves impressed in spells and could have changed the outcome with more clinical finishing, the match wasn’t without controversy. Carragher, speaking on *Sky Sports*, dissected a flashpoint involving Ait-Nouri, who, during a dribble, collided awkwardly with Bernardo Silva, making contact with the City midfielder’s ankle.
The VAR team took time to review the incident but upheld on-field referee Craig Pawson’s decision to allow play to continue without issuing a card. Carragher, however, believed that the Wolves wing-back was “very fortunate” not to be sent off.
“He might be in trouble there,” Carragher remarked during the broadcast. “Even in real-time, it doesn’t look great. He tries to roll the ball but ends up planting his studs into the ankle. It’s far from the ball. It’s clumsy, and when you slow it down, it looks even worse.”
The former Liverpool defender acknowledged the importance of maintaining a full 11 vs. 11 match whenever possible, but still emphasized that Ait-Nouri escaped punishment that others haven’t in similar situations: “There have been red cards for less. He’s definitely a lucky boy.”
Despite the scare, Ait-Nouri continued to stand out on the pitch, not just defensively but offensively. The 23-year-old nearly scored in the first half when his shot struck the post, and he consistently troubled Manchester City’s defense with his quick footwork and sharp acceleration.
With speculation swirling about a potential summer move away from Molineux, Ait-Nouri delivered a performance that underlined his value. Although the controversial moment dominated post-match analysis, it didn’t overshadow his dynamic display as one of Wolves’ brightest players in the defeat.
Alious
