Manchester City’s defensive veteran Kyle Walker has found himself at the center of widespread ridicule following his theatrical collapse during Sunday’s heated Manchester derby. As City suffered a stunning 2-1 loss to their bitter rivals Manchester United, Walker’s antics during a first-half altercation with Rasmus Højlund have been branded “embarrassing” by pundits and fans alike.
MANCHESTER DERBY DRAMA:
City had taken an early lead through Josko Gvardiol’s well-timed header, giving the home side hope of dominating their fierce rivals. However, tensions flared when Walker brought down United forward Højlund as the Danish striker attempted to spark a counterattack.
The incident escalated into a head-to-head clash, with both players squaring up on the pitch. What followed left spectators stunned—Walker dramatically dropped to the ground as if seriously hurt, despite no visible contact from Højlund. The referee issued yellow cards to both players, but TV replays revealed Walker’s apparent play-acting, triggering an avalanche of criticism.
BACKLASH FROM LEGENDS AND FANS:
Roy Keane’s Verdict:
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane, known for his no-nonsense takes, led the wave of condemnation on Sky Sports:
“Walker must be embarrassed, to go down like that. Look at this. I don’t know the guy, and I’m embarrassed for him.”
Piers Morgan’s Slam:
Media personality Piers Morgan didn’t hold back on social media, echoing Keane’s disgust:
“Absolutely pathetic from Walker.”
Alan Sugar’s Commentary:
Business tycoon Alan Sugar mocked Walker’s theatrics on X (formerly Twitter):
“Walker went down like he was hit by a train. He should get a red card for acting.”
Gary Neville’s Reflection:
Former United defender Gary Neville compared Walker’s antics to his own infamous derby headbutt on Steve McManaman in 2004:
“I did this in a derby many years ago and got sent off. It’s poor from Walker. He’ll be a little bit embarrassed when he sees that one back.”
Frank De Boer Furious:
The criticism went international, with Dutch football legend Frank De Boer expressing his outrage:
“This is screwing up our game of football. Look at how they treat each other in rugby, and then look at this. If Walker watches that clip back, surely he can’t take himself seriously anymore.”
Sam Pilger’s Take:
Football writer Sam Pilger called Walker’s actions “naked cheating,” while JJ Bull of The Athletic demanded stronger punishment:
“Honestly, send Kyle Walker off for that.”
Højlund’s Icy Response:
The United striker didn’t miss the chance to twist the knife post-match. On Instagram, Højlund posted a photo of the clash, captioned:
“Manchester is red, violets are blue. What a brilliant performance, but the Oscar goes to…”
City’s Late Collapse:
Walker’s antics weren’t the only sore point for Manchester City during a disastrous afternoon. After leading 1-0 for much of the match, City imploded in the dying minutes.
Matheus Nunes, playing out of position at full-back, conceded a penalty for a reckless foul on Amad Diallo. United captain Bruno Fernandes coolly converted to equalize, and just moments later, Diallo sealed the comeback with a dramatic winning goal.
The defeat marked City’s eighth loss in 11 games across all competitions—a shocking slump for the reigning Premier League champions.
Off-Pitch Scandals Resurface:
The controversy around Walker’s performance also reignited conversations about his tumultuous personal life.
Walker separated from his wife, Annie Kilner, in December 2023 after it was revealed he fathered two children with influencer Lauryn Goodman. The former childhood sweethearts are now embroiled in a bitter divorce battle over Walker’s £27 million fortune.
Despite the drama, Kilner has kept a positive front, recently taking her four children—Roman, Riaan, Reign, and baby Rezon, whom she shares with Walker—to Winter Funland in Manchester.
What’s Next for City and Walker?
Manchester City’s Premier League title defense is in serious jeopardy. Pep Guardiola’s side sits fifth in the table, nine points behind leaders Liverpool, with little sign of improvement.
Guardiola admitted post-match that his team’s form is a concern:
“I’m the boss, the manager. I have to find solutions, and so far, I haven’t.”
City will hope to bounce back this weekend against Aston Villa. As for Walker, the backlash shows no signs of slowing down. Whether his performances can silence critics—or if his theatrics have left a lasting stain—remains to be seen.
KEEP IN MIND:
Kyle Walker’s Manchester derby performance has sparked a firestorm of criticism, with pundits, players, and fans united in their disdain. As City struggles to regain their form, Walker may need more than on-pitch redemption to shake off his latest controversy.
