Manchester City’s hat-trick hero Erling Haaland agreed with Marco Silva that the hosts’ crucial second goal in their 5-1 win over Fulham should have been disallowed.
The Norwegian scored a second half hat-trick as the treble winners romped to their fourth win from four league games but admitted that Nathan Ake’s header – which made 2-1 on the stroke of half-time – should not have stood because City centre back Manuel Akanji was obstructing the view of Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno in an offside position. Referee Michael Oliver awarded the goal on the field and, after a lengthy VAR check, the decision stood much to Fulham’s anger.
Speaking to beIN Sports’ Andy Kerry after the final whistle, Haaland admitted his side had been very fortunate:
“It was offside. I feel bad for them – I would be fuming after this as well. It must be a horrible feeling.”
One thing for sure is titles are not won in the traditional way any more. They are influenced by technical geeks who could easily have outside influences. A lot of people would say Man City buy titles but they are now also supported by outside influencers. The top four clubs in with a tilt may as well give up now. Its Citys title whatever you do. Very sad but true.
Agree totally with Tony. Spent nearly 8 hours driving to and from the match only to be cheated again. Marco’s game plan was working a treat. They never had a shot in the first half hour.Then a goal that came from a miskick by Haarland. Fulham struck back immediately. Right on half time the most blatant cheat by the ref, the lino and VAR. This changed the dynamics of the game completely and was effectively game over. The F.A. has now gagged Marco so he can’t say anything. This has happened every game tis season. Conspiracy?? Judge for yourself.
Crap transfer window TK out, get someone with a football brain. FFC are not his plaything.
There is so much money involved in the game today and too many influences from outside agencies. It’s time for UEFA
and FIFA step in and make refereeing and VAR neutral by introducing officials from other major leagues to referee our games. Premier League officials then could inflict their incompetence on other countries in Europe.
I love Fulham and will always go and for the club it’s better to be in Premiership finically . But me and my Fulham friends rather be in Championship mistakes are made there but feel more honest. Why do the top teams get so much help from refs and VAR they should not need it they have all the best players. It’s becoming a joke I go to games now expecting it, football become so Bent I’m fooling out of love with it. But love my club
Totally agree with Daniel top flight football is becoming a farce, supported FFC for sixty odd years season ticket for many of those years, sorry to say it but people now who are officials in the game are biased towards smaller clubs, Money can buy success!
Get rid of VAR it is not working and is ruining the game the people who decide the decisions know nothing about the rules and will always favour the big teams, as for Tony Khan the same applies he is ruining our team, his only interest is in that pretend crap wrestling.
Well said Daniel and Phil. I’m actually looking forward to the Luton game because I think it will be refereed fairly. Against the big teams, I’ve lost confidence that we will get a fair go. How has it reached a stage where we expect to be cheated at a football match by the officials?.
Let the top 6 sod off to a European super league and the rest of us can restore the soul of football.