LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Howard Webb, the chief of PGMOL, has conceded that Nathan Ake’s crucial goal for Manchester City against Fulham should not have been allowed.
The Dutch defender found the net for City, giving them a 2-1 lead just before halftime in their match against Fulham last weekend.
Upon review by VAR, it appeared that Manuel Akanji may have been in an offside position, obstructing Bernd Leno’s view when Ake headed the ball into the net from Phil Foden’s corner.
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Despite the initial decision to uphold the goal, Howard Webb, speaking in the program “Match Officials: Mic’d Up” aired by Sky Sports and TNT Sports, expressed his belief that the goal should have been disallowed.
Webb explained that determining offside situations and their consequences can be challenging, but it was evident to him that Akanji’s presence in an offside position had a clear impact on goalkeeper Leno, causing him to hesitate. Unfortunately, this error was not identified during the match.
Erling Haaland later went on to score his first hat-trick of the season, leading the Cityzens to a 5-1 victory, with Ake’s goal ultimately proving to be the turning point in a closely contested game.
Manchester City, managed by Pep Guardiola, is set to face West Ham in the Premier League on 16 September.