Haaland admits Man City scored offside

According to Erling Haaland, teammate Nathan Ake's goal to make it 2-1 in the 5-1 win over Fulham in round 4 of the Premier League was illegal.

"I think it was offside," Haaland told beIN SPORTS after the win at the Etihad. "I feel sorry for Fulham. I would be angry if it happened to Man City. It would be a terrible feeling."

In the first half, Phil Foden took a corner kick and Ake headed the ball into the Fulham net. The visitors reacted strongly, claiming that Manuel Akanji was offside and had covered goalkeeper Bernd Leno's eyes, putting him at a disadvantage. But referee Michael Oliver still awarded the goal to the defending champions.

Akanji (standing on the 6m50 line) is offside when Ake heads into the Fulham goal. Screenshot — Akanji (standing on the 6m50 line) is offside when Ake heads into the Fulham goal. *Screenshot*

After the game, VAR confirmed that Akanji was offside but did not cover Leno's eyes or touch the ball. Therefore, the referee upheld the decision. On the sidelines, coach Marco Silva reacted angrily. Fulham players looked angry as they entered the tunnel at half-time.

"That moment had a huge impact," Silva said after the game. "Every football player, who has some knowledge of football, knows that it was offside. The goal was not allowed. The referees did not disallow the goal, which is a concern for us."

Fulham captain Tim Ream said Ake's goal was the turning point of the game. "You never want to lose a game like that," said the American defender. "We played a good first half and had a much below average second half. We didn't have the intensity in the second half and lost."

Coach Silva (left) was upset and reacted to the referee after Ake's goal was recognized. Photo: PA

On Soccer Saturday , former referee Mike Dean claimed that Ake's goal should have been ruled out for offside. According to him, although Akanji jumped to avoid the ball, goalkeeper Leno had to wait to see if the Man City defender had touched the ball and by the time he dived, it was too late.

In this match, Man City dominated and opened the score in the 31st minute thanks to Julian Alvarez. Two minutes later, Ream scored an empty net to equalize for Fulham. But Ake's controversial situation put the home team ahead. In the second half, Haaland shined with a hat-trick, helping Man City win big, reaching 12 absolute points after four matches and occupying the top of the table.

Haaland holds the ball as a souvenir after scoring a hat-trick against Fulham. Photo: AFP — Haaland holds the ball as a souvenir after scoring a hat-trick against Fulham. Photo: *AFP*

This is Haaland's fifth hat-trick in the Premier League, equaling the achievements of Robin Van Persie and Ruud Van Nistelrooy, and surpassing many other former players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Nicolas Anelka, Emmanuel Adebayor (all three times). Haaland also became the fastest player to have a hand in 50 goals in Premier League history, with 42 goals scored and nine assists in 39 matches.

"Don't worry. I'm back," said the 23-year-old striker after ending a four-game goalless streak at the Etihad. "We'll only get better and the way Man City started has been incredible. It's a new season and I'm ready."

After a two-week break to allow international football to resume, Man City will visit West Ham in the fifth round of the Premier League on September 16. Three days later they return home to host Red Star Belgrade in their Champions League group stage opener.

Hong Duy

Source link