Manchester City welcomed Brentford in Matchweek 16's earliest kick-off, with this being the final round before the Premier League, and club football altogether, enters a break due to the midseason 2022 FIFA World Cup.
As a result, the Cityzens entered this clash needing nothing but a win as the three points could have seen them enter this break as the league leaders should Arsenal suffer a slip-up away to Wolves.
And while Guardiola's men were expected to march to victory, what unfolded in the first half of this Etihad Stadium showdown was utter chaos. The first 15 minutes saw the Bees fashion a couple of key goalscoring opportunities, with the visitors eventually breaking the deadlock in the 16th minute courtesy of Ivan Toney, who was just omitted from England's Qatar 2022 squad.
The hosts went on to dominate from that point forward and in one frantic three-minute spell just before the half-an-hour mark, Manchester City had three penalty shouts which were all waved away.
The first one saw Rico Henry handle the ball and while this offense appeared to have taken place inside the penalty box, the referee gave a free kick. VAR got involved but could not find a definitive image that proved the English full-back committed this foul inside the box and thus the free kick stood.
This was the handball incident (video is geo-restricted)
Was this handball inside or outside the box?
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 12, 2022
: @USA_Network #MyPLMorning | #MCIBRE pic.twitter.com/IeEBPiosaD
From that set piece, an additional two spot-kick shouts arose. First Erling Haaland claimed to have been grappled inside the box before De Bruyne fell to the floor after being challenged by an opposition player just seconds later.
Once again, VAR intervened and ruled out both claims. However, the De Bruyne incident, in particular, sparked anger on social media. Check it out in the clips below.
And this was the incident involving De Bruyne (video is geo-restricted)
Two more penalty shouts by Manchester City but no penalty is given.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 12, 2022
: @USA_Network #MyPLMorning | #MCIBRE pic.twitter.com/zzjI6HVxyP
Fans flocked to Twitter to tear apart the Belgian playmaker, accusing the Man City star of simulation. In fact, many labeled him a diver after this incident, with the issue stemming from the Cityzens' 2-1 victory over Fulham last weekend where De Bruyne won a soft penalty for his team in stoppage time. Here are the best tweets and reactions.
They was contact on KDB, but he 100% cheated and dived! #mcfc
— Terry Flewers (@terryflewers) November 12, 2022
Kevin de diver again
— Sam (@SamAFC21) November 12, 2022
De Bruyne adding diving to his game is a problem if referees start falling for it. Thankfully not today.
— Dan Critchlow (@afcDW) November 12, 2022
That's a dive by De Bruyne! Should have been carded there.
— Hiten. (@HitenPatel13) November 12, 2022
Kevin De Bruyne is having a week isn't he pic.twitter.com/91Sm2GGXV6
— The Redmen TV (@TheRedmenTV) November 12, 2022
Also De Bruyne should've been booked for diving there
— Smith Showe (@EmiSmithShowe) November 12, 2022
De Bruyne when Man City are dropping points pic.twitter.com/mVzavZj41V
— FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnnys) November 12, 2022
De Bruyne anytime he gets into the box... pic.twitter.com/GUKQVOd1uK
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) November 12, 2022
De Bruyne when Man City are dropping points pic.twitter.com/tY10i7XE2c
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) November 12, 2022
Phil Foden would go on to equalize just before the break but in the dying minutes of stoppage time, Ivan Toney completed his brace courtesy of a brilliant counterattack to give Thomas Frank's men an unforgettable 2-1 win. This means Arsenal will remain top of the table heading into Christmas and could move five points clear at the top with a win away to Wolves.