![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/mike-dean-insists-officials-dropped-major-var-blunder-during-man-city-vs-fulham/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1_Untitled-1-2.jpg&description=The Premier League champions have started the season in fine form with three wins from three, but were they given a helping hand by the officials with their controversial second goal against Fulham on Saturday afternoon? Former Premier League referee Mike Dean insisted Manchester City's controversial go-ahead goal against Fulham on Saturday should NOT have stood. With the game finely poised at 1-1 at the Etihad, the champions went ahead thanks to a header from Nathan Ake - five minutes into first-half stoppage time. The Dutchman's effort found the bottom corner past the despairing dive of Cottagers 'keeper Bernd Leno. But the visitors were far from happy, appealing for offside and immediately complaining to match official Michael Oliver as City players ran off to celebrate. Ake's header, from 12 yards, came from an outswinging Phil Foden corner and as the ball made its way to the versatile defender, Fulham's defenders had cleared the six-yard box. That had left Manuel Akanji standing in an offside position, and the Swiss was forced to jump over Ake's effort on it's way to the bottom corner. After a VAR review, the goal was given. And that decision was immediately criticised by former ref - and ex-VAR official - Dean, now working on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday. "In my opinion no it just can't stand. He's jumped over the ball, he has to be interfering...because the player is there, he [Leno] is hesitating." 'It just has to be disallowed.' Michael Dawson added: 'Leno takes an extra step because he thinks Akanji is going to take an extra touch.' The new football season is upon us and with 500 live games to watch, as well access to Cricket, Golf, F1, Boxing, NFL and the NBA across eight dedicated channels, Sky Sports is the only way to watch all the action. Get Sky Sports for £22 a month Former City goalkeeper Shay Given, said: "I'm surprised it's not been given for an offside. Akanji is clearly in the line of vision of the goalkeeper, he jumps out of the way, and Leno w){kind=link}
The Premier League champions have started the season in fine form with three wins from three, but were they given a helping hand by the officials with their controversial second goal against Fulham on Saturday afternoon?
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean insisted Manchester City’s controversial go-ahead goal against Fulham on Saturday should NOT have stood.
With the game finely poised at 1-1 at the Etihad, the champions went ahead thanks to a header from Nathan Ake – five minutes into first-half stoppage time. The Dutchman’s effort found the bottom corner past the despairing dive of Cottagers âkeeper Bernd Leno. But the visitors were far from happy, appealing for offside and immediately complaining to match official Michael Oliver as City players ran off to celebrate.
Ake’s header, from 12 yards, came from an outswinging Phil Foden corner and as the ball made its way to the versatile defender, Fulham’s defenders had cleared the six-yard box. That had left Manuel Akanji standing in an offside position, and the Swiss was forced to jump over Ake’s effort on it’s way to the bottom corner.
After a VAR review, the goal was given.