05 November 2023 , 16:54
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Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor accused Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall of "bullying" the fourth official, Melissa Burgin, as City suffered their first defeat of the season in a 2-1 defeat away to the Gunners.
City looked to have salvaged a point and kept their unbeaten run alive as Chloe Kelly's second-half strike cancelled out Steph Catley's early opener.
But Stina Blackstenius was on hand to capitalise on a dreadful error from City keeper Khiara Keating in the match's final minutes. The 19-year-old misjudged Katie McCabe's long pass over the top, subsequently failing to make contact and gifting an open goal to the Swedish striker.
The goal kept Arsenal's title hopes alive with the Gunners now three points shy of leaders Chelsea and level on points with City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.
But Taylor was less than impressed with the conduct of his opposite number in Eidevall in regard to fourth official Burgin, with the trio sharing heated exchanges on the touchline.
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"That is always the same with him because he is constantly at the fourth official and I think it is bullying," Taylor said on Eidevall. "I am protecting the fourth official but that's not my job. Massively frustrated. We've had a good start and we move on and we will be better for this."
Taylor continued to cut a bullish figure in his post-match assessment, admitting that his side felt "robbed" of a result. "I think everyone who saw that game could see we should have won. We are feeling a little bit robbed," he said.
"Similar story to last season. Created a lot of chances and we've got to be better at the top end of the pitch. The performance was very good.
"We dominated and there was a point when I thought they were out on their feet and there was only one team that was going to win. The referee didn't help us but this referee always gives them against us and never for us. But we should have taken our chances."
Stina Blackstenius celebrates scoring Arsenal's winning goal after an error from Man City keeper Khiara Keating (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)City were the subjects of a contentious officiating display in their dramatic 1-1 draw with Chelsea earlier in the season as defender Alex Greenwood was controversially sent off in the first-half for a second yellow card offence.
Arsenal's winner arrived through a mistake from Keating in a hectic afternoon for the recent Lionesses call-up. The teenager's botched clearance from a back pass caught Cloe Lacasse, and the hosts were handed the ideal opportunity to extend their lead.
But Keating, who has done well to oust Ellie Roebuck and Sandy MacIver between the posts this season, denied Kim Little from the spot as a momentous form of redemption. She continued to display a steely and laudable resolve as she thwarted Arsenal's better chances.
Nevertheless, another judgement lapse proved costly as Blackstenius got the better of Keating with three minutes of regular time remaining. Upon the full-time whistle, a distraught Keating was consoled by City teammates.
On Keating's ability to bounce back from the blunder, Taylor said: "We will see. I think it is great. I have spoken previously about Khiara and because she is young she is going to make mistakes.
"She did a lot for us in the game and this season and going through these experiences are what makes you a good goalkeeper. The team are behind her and she will come back stronger."
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