Jack Grealish escaped punishment for his nudge. (Image: viaplay)
fans were left raging while watching Saturday’s early kick-off between United and in the hope that their title rivals dropped points. Cameras spotted leaving a cheeky elbow on Sandro Tonali at the start of the second half as part of a fierce feud between the pair at St. James’ Park.
City kicked off the weekend’s action on Tyneside a week after last-gasp equaliser rescued a point against .
The ill-tempered clash at the Etihad Stadium lit the beacons of the third successive title race between the two sides, leaving Gunners supporters watching the trip with a keen eye.
Grealish and Josko Gvardiol combined to fire the visitors into a first-half lead, with the latter bending a strike around Nick Pope.
But unsurprisingly made a competitive game of it, part of which saw Grealish duel with Tonali, who was making his first start since his 10-month suspension.
And early in the second half, replays showed the City winger leaving a subtle elbow on his opponent, who collapsed to the ground, during a tussle inside the box.
The incident went unnoticed by referee Jarred Gillett and the VAR team at Stockley Park, but plenty of those associated with made no mistake pointing it out on social media.
fumed: “WHERE’S THE F**KING RED CARD FOR GREALISH? HE KICKS AND ELBOWS HIS OPPONENT!! YET WE GET TWO REDS FOR DELAYING THE RESTART!! F**KING CHEATS!”
Jack Grealish and Sandro Tonali’s feud continued. (Image: Getty)
joked: “If Grealish was wearing an shirt he’d get sent off and suspended and Xhaka would be sent to Alcatraz.”
agreed: “If that was an player that done what Grealish just did….”
Meanwhile, questioned: “How is that not violent conduct from Grealish?!!”
similarly posted: “How’s that not a sending-off for Grealish?? Every week City go unpunished.”
And wrote: “Blatant elbow from Grealish. Nothing happens.”
Tensions continued to flare between Grealish and Tonali, and less than 10 minutes later, both players received yellow cards for an off-the-ball flare-up near the corner flag.
Moments after Anthony Gordon equalised from the penalty spot, it was the City man who fell to the ground under a challenge from Tonali before confronting him once he was back on his feet.
‘s No. 8 lasted until the 77th minute before he appeared to pick up a problem and was withdrawn by Eddie Howe for Sean Longstaff.
He was later seen nursing his knee on the bench while Grealish made way for Jeremy Doku in the 81st minute.