Man City halted by brutal VAR statement after Gianluigi Donnarumma sparks melee

Manchester City were unhappy as they were pegged back twice by Monaco to drop two points in the Champions League

"Manchester City's player number 16 kicked an opponent in the head while trying to play the ball."

When VAR puts it like that, as it did inside the Stade Louis II on Wednesday evening, it is hard to argue. Except, this being VAR, there will be plenty of argument.

Nico Gonzalez looked to have won the ball when he put his foot up to clear a free-kick late on as City looked to defend their 2-1 lead, only for Eric Dier to roll around on the floor and the referee to be sent to the screen to see that there had been contact. The former Tottenham defender picked himself up and sent Gianluigi Donnarumma the wrong way to put the brakes on City's charge.

A disconsolate Erling Haaland trudged off the pitch at full-time, feeling that his two goals should have been enough to see City over the line. Two goals from just seven first-half touches took him to 17 in 10 games for club and country this season - even if Europe isn't worried about City yet this season, the alarm bells should be ringing about Haaland.

The Norwegian's goal tally is already frightening, and he is also scoring goals he does not normally manage. The telescopic leg to poke in the opener following a wonderful chip from centre-back Josko Gvardiol is a frequent asset for him, but it was the goal that put City back in front on the stroke of half-time after Jordan Teze's well-hit equaliser that was more intriguing.

Phil Foden produced another of his mazy runs but could only stand the ball up for Nico O'Reilly by the left touchline, and he took a touch and floated in a cross into the centre of the box. From a standing start, Haaland leapt like the finest Norwegian salmon and hung in the air Cristiano-style to put City back in front.

Headers really aren't Haaland's forte, but he has been working hard to improve and has started the season with some impressive results. You could tell how much he enjoyed the second goal by the way he turned to the travelling City fans shaking his fist as he walked back to the middle.

Haaland's goals masked a nervous trip to Monaco for the super-rich visitors, with the home team causing plenty of problems despite being ravaged by injuries. It took a smart save from Gianluigi Donnarumma on the hour mark to preserve City's lead.

An excellent stop at the other end prevented Haaland from getting a third, and Monaco were eventually rewarded for their persistence - albeit in controversial circumstances. The ending brought chaos even before the penalty was given, with referee Jesus Gil Manzano having to abandon his first attempt to watch the decision back after Donnarumma sparked a melee.

Monaco players were furious that the Italian had taken the ball to the City dugout with him, and in trying to get it back they sparked angry scenes from both benches. Two red cards were dished out in the dugouts and Bernardo Silva was booked before the penalty could be taken.

Guardiola and captain Silva are rebuilding the mentality of the shocked survivors from last season while trying to teach the new recruits from the £350m spent this year the high standards that are expected at the Etihad.

Haaland raising his own bar should help, but for now City are still a way off where they want to be.

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