Bernardo Silva claims all 50-50 refereeing decisions are going against Man City after latest title race blow | OneFootball

Bernardo Silva has voiced his frustration over what he perceives as a consistent pattern of 50-50 decisions going against Manchester City, a sentiment amplified after the club dropped crucial points in the Premier League title race on Wednesday.

City were held to a 2-2 draw by relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium, a result that leaves them seven points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

A key moment of contention arose when City, leading 2-1, believed they should have been awarded a penalty.

Striker Erling Haaland went down in the box after rounding Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels, but the incident was reviewed by VAR and subsequently cleared. City captain Silva was adamant the decision was incorrect.

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Erling Haaland was not awarded a second-half penalty (PA Wire)

"So, if Erling is running and the goalkeeper just crashes into him, what can he do, just disappear?" the Portuguese midfielder questioned.

He added: "I just think that all the 50-50s this season have gone against us – all of them, and it’s quite frustrating because, at the end, it makes a big difference in the title race."

Despite still holding a game in hand and a pivotal fixture against Arsenal yet to come, Silva conceded that the margin for error in the title pursuit is rapidly diminishing.

"It definitely puts us in a worse position," he stated. "Still nine games to go, which is a long way, but we’re not happy. We wanted to be closer to put a bit more pressure on them. This feels a bit frustrating and worse for us."

However, Silva also acknowledged that City’s current predicament is, ultimately, a result of their own failings.

"It’s on us that we didn’t win, that we conceded in the last minute against Chelsea, that we didn’t win against Brighton at home, that we were winning 2-0 against Tottenham away and we let them come back into that game. That’s all on us," the skipper admitted.

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Elliot Anderson (left) rescued a point for Nottingham Forest

In the match itself, Morgan Gibbs-White levelled for Forest with a brilliant backheel after City had taken the lead.

Rodri then headed City back in front just after the hour mark, only for Elliot Anderson to secure a superb second equaliser for the visitors, ensuring a share of the points.

City’s focus now swiftly shifts to a demanding schedule, with an FA Cup clash at Newcastle on Saturday, followed by a Champions League tie against Real Madrid, and the Carabao Cup final also on the horizon. Silva underscored the critical nature of the upcoming period.

"In these few weeks we’re not going to win a lot (of trophies), but we can lose a lot," he warned.

"This month can keep us alive to fight for the competitions until the end or it can put us down and we just go for one or two competitions. Hopefully, we will still be in all four of them in a month’s time."

For Nottingham Forest, Anderson’s late goal proved vital, keeping them outside the relegation zone on goal difference.

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Vitor Pereira wants his team to take things a game at a time

Manager Vitor Pereira maintained a composed outlook, urging his team to concentrate on the immediate future.

"I believe we need to focus in the present, on the game we are playing, not to look to the future," he said.

"If you lose your focus thinking about what might happen, this is a mistake. Just focus on the next game."