Antoine Semenyo, Joe Hart react after ‘lucky’ Kenny Tete avoids red card for apparent hair pull - 'Of course that's a red'

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Antoine Semenyo revealed he believed his hair had been pulled inside the penalty area during Manchester City’s 3–0 victory over Fulham - a result that trimmed the gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal to just three points. In January, Everton defender Michael Keane was sent off for pulling Wolves forward Tolu Arokodare's hair back, earning a three-match ban after VAR intervention.

Hart exasperated as Tete escapes punishment for Semenyo hair pull - 'Of course that's a red card'

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Antoine Semenyo revealed he felt his hair was pulled inside the box by an opponent during Manchester City's 3-0 win over Fulham, which closed the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to just three points.

Semenyo shone once more as City delivered a statement performance at a rain-lashed Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, sweeping Fulham aside with a commanding victory that was sewn up inside the opening 45 minutes.

Pep Guardiola's side were well on their way to another three points when Semenyo - the scorer of City's first goal - appeared to have his hair pulled inside the penalty area by Fulham full-back Kenny Tete.

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Referee Paul Tierney halted play as VAR Neil Davies reviewed the incident, as City looked to further assert their dominance from a corner.

However, after a short period, Tierney took no further action, as the match officials decided that there was no clear evidence of violent conduct.

When asked if he felt his hair being pulled by an opponent, Semenyo told TNT Sports: "Yeah, I felt it. I thought it was Jimenez that did it, but you tell me it was Tete.

Highlights: First-half blitz guides Man City to commanding win over Fulham

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"I felt it, I told the ref straightaway, but he said there wasn't enough, so they just left it as that."

In January, Everton defender Michael Keane was shown a red card for being judged to have pulled Wolves' Tolu Arokodare by his hair during his side's 1-1 draw, with referee Thomas Kirk advised by VAR Chris Kavanagh to send off the centre-back, leading to a three-match ban.

Speaking on co-commentary duty for TNT Sports, former City goalkeeper Joe Hart said: "I don't know [why Tete wasn't sent off]. I'd like to think I knew what they mean by these rules.

"If the rule is, 'if you pull someone's hair, then you're getting sent off', then of course that's a red card. I'd like to think there is a little bit of wiggle room in it.

"I'm sure if [Everton manager] David Moyes is sitting at home watching this game, then he wouldn't want him sent off for that, either.

Semenyo reacts to hair pull incident – ‘I felt it…the referee said it wasn’t enough’

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"Tete's got his eyes on the ball, and he's just looking to make contact with Semenyo. He's not looking to grab his hair, but he has - there's no getting away from it. He's very lucky. He's not intentionally gone there to pull his locks out."

The ball was in play, so had the decision been viewed as violent conduct from Tete, City would not only have been given a numerical advantage but also a penalty.

Speaking at half-time, TNT Sports pundit Joleon Lescott said: "The wording they [the Premier League Match Centre] have used is that there's no clear evidence, but they are the ones who have spotted it. We aren't the ones who have said, 'look at this incident'.

"They've seen it, and they've thought that there's nothing there. For me, there's definitely a pull of the hair. By the letter of the law, it's a red card."

Karen Carney added: "Given the consequences and that previously a player has been sent off, why would you put yourself in this position and why you would do it is beyond me. I think he's lucky."

‘Instinctive’ Semenyo strikes again to put Man City ahead against Fulham

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Despite Tete's reprieve, Guardiola's side seized control from the outset, dictating tempo and territory with authority to ensure there was nothing controversial about the result.

The comprehensive victory ensures City maintain their momentum and heap pressure on Arsenal, who face Brentford away on Thursday night, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Their early dominance was rewarded midway through the first half when Semenyo continued his impressive start to life at the club, calmly converting on 24 minutes to register his fifth goal since arriving last month.

City doubled their advantage shortly after the half-hour mark. Semenyo turned provider, teeing up Nico O'Reilly, who finished with conviction to put daylight between the sides.

The hosts were relentless, and six minutes before the interval Erling Haaland added a third, underlining City’s superiority.

O’Reilly doubles Man City’s lead over Fulham – ‘They are like a train!’

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The Norwegian's strike carried added significance. It was his 153rd goal for the club, drawing him level with the legendary Colin Bell and lifting him into joint fourth place in City’s all-time scoring charts.

"From the get-go, they were dominant and professional," former City defender Lescott continued.

"It was a solid performance, and that's what they've lacked this season across 90 minutes.

"Yes, Fulham had chances, but over the course of the game, they were comfortable and in control. I don't think either Arsenal or City are thinking of goal difference right now, they're just focusing on wins, and it won't be until you get down to the last five or six games where they may look at that.

"Right now, the momentum is with Man City. Psychologically, Arsenal have to do their job tomorrow."

Haaland hits Man City's third before break as hosts run riot over Fulham - 'He's inevitable'

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Guardiola explains early Haaland withdrawal

This latest setback means Marco Silva has now lost all 14 of his Premier League meetings with Manchester City as a manager - a run also spanning his spells at Hull, Watford and Everton.

For Fulham, the broader picture is equally bleak: they have now suffered 20 consecutive defeats to City in all competitions, the longest losing streak against a single opponent in English football history.

Guardiola opted to replace Haaland with Omar Marmoush at half-time, after the striker took a knock in the build-up to O'Reilly's goal.

Guardiola hails ‘incredible signing’ Semenyo after new Man City star strikes again

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Speaking to TNT Sports, the Catalan said: "It was not easy after incredible emotions when you play an emotional game like Liverpool. It was a really, really good performance. So happy with the guys.

"[Semenyo] has a sense of the second balls in the box, but not just that, the pace and intensity - he is a top, top player. With him and Marc Guehi, the club makes incredible signings.

"The team, in certain moments, is growing; people are coming back. It is really, really important. He [Haaland] had a niggle. [You should] never have doubts about the top scorers. The season is so long.

"He [Haaland] said, 'I don't feel comfortable' and 3-0 [ahead] with a lot of games and having Omar, so common sense [to substitute him]. The reason why? Many games."

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