Bernardo Silva believes Manchester City F.C. are repeatedly on the wrong end of 50-50 decisions after dropping two crucial points in the title race on Wednesday.
City now sit seven points behind Arsenal F.C. in the Premier League. Relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest F.C. twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium.
City were frustrated not to receive a penalty while leading 2-1. Erling Haaland went down after knocking the ball past goalkeeper Matz Sels. The incident was reviewed by VAR but no penalty was awarded. Silva felt the decision was incorrect.
He said: “If Erling is running and the goalkeeper crashes into him, what can he do? Just disappear?
“I think all the 50-50 decisions this season have gone against us. All of them. It’s frustrating because, in the end, it makes a big difference in the title race.”
City still have a game in hand and must also face Arsenal. However, Silva admitted the margin for error is shrinking.
“It definitely puts us in a worse position,” he said. “There are still nine games to go, which is a long way, but we’re not happy.
“We wanted to be closer and put more pressure on them. This feels frustrating and worse for us.”
Silva also accepted responsibility for recent setbacks.
“It’s on us that we didn’t win,” he said. “We conceded late against Chelsea. We didn’t beat Brighton at home. We were 2-0 up away to Tottenham and let them come back. That’s all on us.”
City had taken control through Antoine Semenyo, who volleyed home his fifth goal in eight games since joining from Bournemouth. Morgan Gibbs-White responded with a clever backheel finish.
Rodri restored City’s lead just after the hour with a header. However, Forest struck again. Elliot Anderson rescued a point with a second equaliser.
Attention now turns to Saturday’s FA Cup trip to Newcastle and a Champions League tie against Real Madrid CF. The Carabao Cup final is also approaching.
Silva said: “In these next few weeks we won’t win many trophies, but we could lose a lot.
“This month will decide whether we stay in the fight for all competitions or focus on one or two. Hopefully, in a month’s time, we’re still competing in all four.”
Forest remain outside the bottom three on goal difference. Manager Vitor Pereira urged calm.
“We must focus on the present and the game we are playing,” he said. “If you think too far ahead, you lose focus. That is a mistake. Just focus on the next game.”
