Fulham manager Marco Silva has said it is impossible for one of the goals Manchester City scored in their 5-1 victory today, September 2, to be allowed to stand.
With the game level at 1-1 just before the break, Nathan Ake restored City’s lead after Tim Ream cancelled out Julian Alvarez’s opener.
The Dutch defender got to Phil Foden’s in-swinging corner first, and his cushioned header evaded Bernd Leno and went to the bottom left corner.
Though replays showed that Manuel Akanji, who was almost a couple of yards offside, was standing in the German goalkeeper’s eyeline.
Akanki didn’t make contact with the ball as he knew himself he was offside but instead dummied it. This delayed Leno’s reaction in attempting to save the header, and despite the incident going to VAR, the goal was allowed to stand.
It sparked heated protests from Silva on the touchline as well as from the Fulham players on the pitch. The goal proved to be crucial as Fulham were unable to get themselves back into the match, as they eventually lost 5-1 to Manchester City.
Erling Haaland fired in a second-half hat-trick and City ended up breezing past their west London opponents.
Marco Silva who kicked against the second goal scored by Manchester City said;
“The second half was not at the level that it should be. I tried to tell the players not to lose focus from things that we cannot control but, of course, that moment made a huge impact on them.
“Even all the explanations that we listened to during that period didn’t make sense at all.
“What I can say? Everyone that plays football, everyone that has played football, everyone that has some knowledge about football. I’m 100 per cent sure has to disallow that goal.
“Everyone has to be furious if a goal like that comes against you. For the linesman I believe that it can be difficult but, for the VAR, it is impossible not to disallow that goal. It is a clear offside.”
Fulham will host Luton Town in their next Premier League game on September 16, while City will visit West Ham.