Gary O'Neil: 'Subconscious' decisions favouring bigger clubs

Wolves boss Gary O'Neil has suggested Premier League match officials have a subconscious bias towards Manchester City and other big clubs.

Wolves were on the end of another dramatic VAR decision after John Stones’ last-gasp header was allowed to stand at Molineux, giving City a 2-1 win.

The goal was originally ruled out, with Bernardo Silva in an offside position, but referee Chris Kavanagh overturned the decision after viewing the pitchside monitor and deeming the playmaker not to be interfering.

It was another marginal call which went against Wolves, who led a campaign for VAR to be scrapped over the summer, leaving them with just one point from their opening eight games.

O’Neil insists match officials are not knowingly ruling in favour of City, but thinks they are subconsciously awarding them tight decisions.

"There’s no chance that people are purposely against Wolves," said O’Neil, who saw his side have a goal chalked off in similar circumstances against West Ham last season.

"But is there something in the subconscious around decision-making or, without even knowing it, are you more likely to give it to Manchester City than Wolves?

"My focus and my senses are heightened when we’re facing Man City and Pep (Guardiola) and (Erling) Haaland. Are the officials the same, when it’s Haaland and when it’s Manchester City?

"Is there something in there that influences decision-making? And I’ve spoken to them about this as well, and they obviously guarantee me there isn’t. They are human.

"But Manchester City scoring a last-minute winner is a big thing. It’s a bigger thing than Wolves scoring a last-minute goal against West Ham. So maybe there’s something subconsciously that means that you are less likely to get them.

"I might be miles