By Paul Brown

Ron Vlaar admits he was shocked by the penalty decision at the start of the second half and thinks it had a big influence on the final scoreline at Man City.

Andreas Weimann was adjudged to have handled in the box with the game delicately poised at 1-0.

Sergio Aguero made no mistake from the spot and the home side went on to win comfortably, adding three more to make it 5-0.

But video replays showed conclusively that the ball didn't touch Weimann at all.

Vlaar says the linesman's decision had a major bearing on the direction of the match at the Etihad Stadium.

He said: "It was an important moment in the match, with them scoring a second goal just after half-time from a penalty award that wasn't a penalty.

"It's bad that it happened! It's a call from the linesman. I was surprised, I have to be honest. I cannot say anything more.

"I was concentrating on covering my man and not letting them get a goal. I thought I had done that well. Then a penalty was awarded. I was surprised.

"We went to the linesman and he said: "It's 100% handball from No.26. Penalty." That's his decision.

"But we were well in the game at that point and we had chances ourselves earlier, including Christian with a header.

"The decision in the second half had a big influence on the game."

Vlaar revealed that Weimann was not only disappointed but also upset by the sense of injustice surrounding the award.

He added: "Andreas is disappointed like all of us. But he's also upset because he didn't do anything.

"He didn't touch the ball at all. I have seen the video. It's too bad for us."

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