Ex-Premier League referee astonished as Elliot Anderson gets away with SLAPPING ball in penalty box against Sunderland

ELLIOT ANDERSON was “fortunate” to get away with slapping the ball in the penalty box, according to a former Premier League referee. The £116million midfielder appeared to knock the ball away with his hand during a tussle with Enzo Le Fee. Elliot Anderson appeared to handle the ball in the penalty area Credit: EPA Ex-Premier League referee Mark Halsey thinks Man City got lucky Credit: X And as Sunderland ace Le Fee appealed desperately to the referee, Anderson booted it clear to safety. The incident happened when the bonkers Etihad blockbuster remained in the balance at 3-2 to Enzo Maresca’s side. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Mark Halsey believes the VAR at Stockley Park should have intervened. That is because he reckons the Black Cats were unequivocally hard done by – as Anderson made an intentional movement towards the ball. And had VAR stepped in, it could have had a major impact on the result – just like the blunder to allow Erling Haaland’s winner to stand in the Manchester derby last week. SunSport’s Halsey said: “Sunderland should have had a second-half penalty against Manchester City. “When City led 3-2, Enzo Le Fee and Elliot Anderson challenged for a ball in the box. “The latter deliberately moved his arm towards the ball and slapped it away. Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS “I am amazed Michael Salisbury on VAR did not recommend referee Rob Jones for a review. “City were fortunate to get away with that and then Antoine Semenyo made it 4-2 minutes later.” That was Semenyo’s second of the afternoon. Within two minutes, though, Brian Brobbey scored his third to make it 4-3 before Haaland wrapped up the three points – and has now found the net against all the Premier League teams he has faced. However, much of social media was fixated on the Anderson incident – and most agreed with Halsey, although some suggested the other replay angle was less conclusive. One blasted: “Elliot Anderson literally slaps the ball away… and that’s not a penalty?! Another VAR howler. What are we even doing anymore?” Another fumed: “Wow, missed that one live. That’s damming.” A third moaned: “That’s crazy? I don’t even understand the rules any more.” And a final user joked: “VAR needs to be taken off air.” Comment now