Sean Longstaff of Newcastle and his teammate Kyle Walker collided with the Brazilian player after he scored what he believed to be the game’s opening goal, only to have it disallowed for offside.
The goal, scored by Aleksandar Isak, came from a long pass over City’s high defensive line, and although the linesman’s flag stayed down initially, it was raised after the ball went into the net. The collision resulted in Ederson getting hurt, receiving treatment, and eventually being substituted by Stefan Ortega.
Ally McCoist, co-commentating for TNT Sports, expressed concern for Ederson’s well-being, stating, “I hope he’s okay and fit enough to recover.” McCoist emphasized the impact of the offside decision, asserting that if the flag had been raised, the collision wouldn’t have occurred. He criticized the linesman’s delayed decision and argued that it was blatantly wrong.
McCoist acknowledged Longstaff’s well-timed run but highlighted the potential danger, stating, “It’s fortunate that his left knee does not trap him. It might have been far worse.” He called for a change in the rules regarding offside decisions, suggesting that the linesman should have raised the flag earlier for player safety.
The incident brings attention to City’s ongoing defensive challenges, with John Stones already missing due to an injury sustained in a similar situation earlier in the season against Everton. McCoist proposed altering the rules, while chief analyst Darren Fletcher emphasized the importance of prioritizing player safety.
Initially attempting to continue, Ederson was visibly affected and eventually had to leave the game. McCoist criticized the decision to let him continue, stating,
“It’s blatantly evident. He needs to leave.” He questioned the decision-making, saying, “I’m not sure if I’m giving him the ball if I’m Nathan Ake.” The situation sparked a debate on player safety and whether incidents like these should lead to immediate stoppages in play.
