Brighton & Hove Albion thought they had taken the lead early in the second half away at Manchester United, only for VAR to intervene and chalk off Joao Pedro’s effort
The Premier League has issued a statement after Brighton saw a goal disallowed in their match away to Manchester United.
Joao Pedro, who scored the winner when the teams met at the Amex Stadium earlier in the season, thought he had got among the goals again. It wasn’t to be, though, with Jan Paul van Hecke ruled to have fouled Diogo Dalot earlier in the move.
“The referee’s call of goal was checked by VAR, who deemed there was a foul by van Hecke on Dalot in the build-up and recommended an on-field review,” a post from the Premier League Match Centre account read. “The referee overturned the original decision and the goal was disallowed.
Not everyone agreed, with pundit Richard Keys calling out the decision. “They’re having a laugh,” Keys wrote on social media. “What a disgrace disallowing that Brighton goal. Absolute joke. Scandalous.”
The match was level at 1-1 when Joao Pedro’s goal was chalked off. Yankuba Minteh had put the visitors ahead, with Bruno Fernandes equalising from the penalty spot.
Despite the disallowed goal, Brighton did get their noses back in front around the hour mark. Kaoru Mitoma set up Minteh for the opener and the roles were reversed for the Seagulls’ second.
Joao Pedro’s goal wasn’t the only effort to be chalked out following a VAR check during Sunday’s Premier League matches. Nottingham Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic thought he had put Nuno’s side 4-1 up against Southampton, only for an offside call to save the strugglers.
Did VAR get it right at Old Trafford? Have your say in the comments section
Manchester United went into their game against Brighton off the back of a nervy win over Southampton. Amad scored a hat-trick in the final 10 minutes against Ivan Juric’s side, and United boss Ruben Amorim reflected on that performance ahead of the Brighton game.
“I think the best thing to help the players is to be calm, to try to explain what we need to change. Then we will have time to be angry with them,” the head coach said.
“I think and I say that, today, of course, we didn’t play well. First half, we suffered a lot but I felt some players were tired. And, when they are tired, they are trying and I have the responsibility to try to help them. Sometimes to change them. And that is my part.”
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