Manchester City's Silva has beautiful goal snatched away by referee

Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Referees ruled that Bernardo Silva's glorious goal was no good in Manchester City's 2-0 win Sunday against Cardiff City at Cardiff City Stadium in Wales.

And fans on social media were in an uproar looking for an explanation.

Kevin De Bruyne netted the first score of the match in the eighth minute when he hit a powerful right-footed strike off of a free kick past Cardiff City keeper Neil Etheridge.

The controversy came in the 25th minute, when Silva dribbled just past midfield into the box. He kept the ball on his left boot and cut it to his left, juking out Cardiff City defender Joe Ralls. He ripped a shot into the upper right corner at the near post, beating a diving Etheridge.

City players went into celebration mode, but weren't aware that referee Lee Mason disallowed the goal. Manger Pep Guardiola gestured, questioning the call and shouting at a nearby official.

The sideline official held up his flag for an offside call. Manchester City said on the team website that Leroy Sane was ruled guilty of the infraction, as well as interfering with Etheridge's line of sight.

Sane appeared to be level with the defense during the goal, enraging City fans on Twitter.

But Silva would be involved in the next goal, which counted on the scoreboard.

He dribbled down the left side of the pitch, before firing a cross into the box. Midfielder Raheem Sterling finished the offering with a header into the net for a 2-0 lead.

"I don't understand the [Bernardo] goal that we didn't get, but that is okay," Guardiola said after the match. "We can accept that. But they have to protect the players. They [refs] are there to protect the players. When there is fault, there is fault, and when it is dangerous, it is dangerous."

City hosts West Brom at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England.