Leicester City interim manager Dean Smith has defended Wilfred Ndidi over the penalty incident that led to Manchester City doubling the advantage in a Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Nigeria national teamer gave away the penalty in the 11th minute when he was adjudged to have handled Jack Grealish’s cross following a VAR review that proved the holding midfielder committed a handball offense. However, the penalty looked harsh against Ndidi because he raised his leg, which meant his arm was stretched in that position.
When asked whether he was convinced that the decision to award a penalty against Ndidi was right, Smith said: “Yes, it’s unfortunate. I mean, Tim Castagne is looking to stop the cross. Jack Grealish lifts it, you know, to stand it up at the far post, and Wilf’s lifted his leg to try and stop it as well.
“And if the ball doesn’t hit his hand, it hits his face. But I would have certainly been claiming that as well if I was their manager.”
Ndidi was partly to be blamed for Manchester City’s third goal when Kevin De Bruyne robbed him of the ball in the middle of the park before playing a pass to Haaland who dinked the ball over the goalkeeper.
Against Manchester City, Ndidi was named in Leicester City’s starting lineup for the fifth game in a row and this is the first time it has happened this
season.
