Dermot Gallagher: 'Giving penalty to Man City's Raheem Sterling appeared easy'

Former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher has claimed that awarding a penalty to Manchester City against West Ham United for a foul on Raheem Sterling should have been "quite easy".

During the early stages of the second half, Sterling reached the byline before turning inside and being tripped by Aaron Cresswell, but the referee instead waved away the winger's appeals.

However, Gallagher has criticised the decision-making of Neil Swarbrick, stating that he could not understand how the foul was missed.

Gallagher told Sky Sports News: "Absolutely a penalty. When I look at it, I actually think it is quite an easy penalty to give because the player goes in, the ball changes direction, and if Cresswell had got the ball, it would probably have gone out for a corner.

"So I think he has gone in, taken him down and it should have been a penalty. The referee did not see it and he actually gave a handball against Sterling for trying to referee the game."

City eventually prevailed by a 4-1 scoreline at the London Stadium.