Roy Keane scathingly compared Jack Grealish to Team GB diver Tom Daley after the Manchester City winger won a controversial penalty in Sunday's Premier League clash with Aston Villa.
Grealish theatrically went down under Jacob Ramsay's challenge at the end of the first half, when City were leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan. The England international burst into the area and his trailing leg was caught by the Villa midfielder after he cleverly shifted in direction.
Riyad Mahrez converted from 12 yards to increase City's lead and all but secure three points, with Ollie Watkins' second-half strike nothing more than a consolation goal for Villa. Grealish's contentious moment proved to be one of the main talking points of a routine victory for the defending champions and Keane gave a typically frank assessment at half-time.
The Manchester United legend conceded that a penalty was the right decision from the referee - but only after plenty of trickery from the City No.10. "You have to give the penalty. Jack was being very, very smart," Keane said on Sky Sports.
"Very naive, the defending from Ramsey, but he does kind of catch him. Jack kicks himself more than anything else. He's more like Tom Daley but I think it is a penalty and it's clever from Jack. He gets his body across, he knows exactly what he is doing, [he] gives the referee almost no option but to give the penalty."
Keane's co-pundit, Micah Richards, saw the funny side of the dubious decision and joked that he would send Grealish a text about it after the match. The former City defender said of Grealish: "He gets clipped, doesn't he, but let's be honest, I'm going to text him later on. He has made a meal out of that."
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Gary Neville was less light-hearted about the penalty while on co-commentary duties. He said: "Yeah, he doesn't need much of an invitation, Jack Grealish, and he is clever. I think he's played the defender here, I really do.
"I think Jacob Ramsey... watch Jack Grealish, yeah, he's just thrown his left leg, he does like a little bit of a karaoke-type movement to make sure he gets contact. Those at home might say it's a clear penalty, he's tripped him, but I'm telling you now, Jack Grealish has played for that like you wouldn't believe."
Grealish came through the ranks at Villa and captained the Midlands club before completing a £100million transfer to the Etihad Stadium in 2021. After the victory over his boyhood club, he posted on Instagram with the caption: " Back to winning ways! Well done boys! Always nice to see some old faces."
