Raheem Sterling's form is so good right now that he's been awarded a penalty for falling over himself.
The Manchester City forward latched on to a fine through-ball and looked set to test Shakhtar Donetsk keeper Andriy Pyatov with a left-footed strike as the Premier League champions hosted the Ukraine side in the Champions League Wednesday evening.
Sterling completely fluffed his lines however, digging his foot into the turf as he swung for the shot, taking himself to the ground in the process.
Despite the lack of contact with his opponent the referee still pointed to the spot, awarding City a penalty that they hardly deserved.
See the video below, paying particular attention to Pyatov's reaction.
THAT IS A SHOCKER!
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 7, 2018
Raheem Sterling trips on the turf, unopposed and the referee awards a penalty kick. 😱 pic.twitter.com/vdCDsw8Qsf
This was called a pk 😱
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) November 7, 2018
Manchester City now leads 2-0. Watch on #BRLive: https://t.co/2bfj2p1IGM pic.twitter.com/PEcBnTJsJK
Sterling did apologise after the match, saying to BT Sport: "I went to chip the ball and don't know what happened. I didn't feel contact. I scuffed the ball. Apologies to the ref."
Understandably, however, Twitter had already had a field day:
Those fellas behind the goals claiming to be assistants need sacking... pointless job
— Robbie Fowler (@Robbie9Fowler) November 7, 2018
That is one of the worst decisions I have seen in football. If I was Sterling I wouldn’t even accept it, ridiculous.
— Brano (@CFCBrano) November 7, 2018
Just watched Raheem Sterling’s “penalty”. Surely the worst call in refereeing history?
— Socios.com (@Sociosdotcom) November 7, 2018
🤦♂️ Raheem Sterling there...#MCISHK pic.twitter.com/17iu8E1Djn
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) November 7, 2018
Sterling knew the defender never touched him.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 7, 2018
To let the penalty go ahead makes him just as culpable as the ref.
I wish more footballers were like @Robbie9Fowler. https://t.co/FTeOB8GFuv
Jose Mourinho and Raheem Sterling both get penalties for kicking the floor. 🤷♂️
— Vinay (@SemperFiUtd) November 7, 2018
Sterling should have protested that penalty. Big shame really. This is why I support VAR. Unfair penalty against Shaktar.
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) November 7, 2018
Really really wish that Sterling had shaken his head & ‘fessed up’. Even if he didn’t kick the floor on purpose, he must have known he wasn’t tripped. Would have got huge plaudits.
— Guy Mowbray (@Guymowbray) November 7, 2018
Tripped by Matvyenko? Good joke, friends.
— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) November 7, 2018
Sterling's phantom penalty ultimately had little effect on the outcome of the match, as City stormed to a 6-0 win over Shakhtar.
