After a slow start to the match, the match between Manchester City and Fulham caught fire towards the end of the first half. Erling Braut Haaland served fellow striker Julián Álvarez after half an hour, but Tim Ream equalized for Fulham just three minutes later. 1-1 also seemed to be the score in the match going into the break, but five minutes into extra time Nathan Aké headed the ball into the goal. In front of the goal, defensive colleague Manuel Akanji more or less jumped away from the ball. The City player was inches away from the ball when it passed him and on the touchline Bernd Leno appeared to be waiting for a possible touch. – That Leno is disturbed by him standing there, there is no doubt, said Viaplay commentator Andreas Toft. – He does not dare to leave until that ball has passed Akanji, added expert commentator Lars Tjærnås. A minute and a half after the ball went into the goal, the VAR check was over and referee Michael Oliver confirmed that the goal stood. It led to major protests from both the Fulham players and the support apparatus, who seemed completely adamant that the scoring was approved. – Did it stand? It’s completely wild. Incomprehensible, wrote football commentator Kasper Wikestad on X/Twitter. HEADING: Nathan Aké (number six) just after the heading. Manuel Akanji second from left. Photo: Dave Thompson / AP – Can’t stand still In the football studio all around, there were many reactions. Former Premier League referee Mike Dean shook his head as the goal was allowed. In the Sky Sports studio, he was asked if the score should have stood: – In my opinion, no. It just can’t stand. He jumped over the ball. It must be influencing the game, said the veteran referee. At Viaplay, Jan Åge Fjørtoft was very committed. – We clearly see that Leno has some intermediate steps. He thinks that Akanji can get a touch on that ball, so then he has to wait one step before going after that ball. That there is no understanding of the game by the referee, linesman and those at Stockley Park (where VAR is controlled from in the Premier League), is completely incomprehensible. Former Premier League striker Glenn Murray didn’t understand anything either. – The goalkeeper does not have the opportunity to predict how he will change his movements if Akanji gets a touch. So for me it’s influencing the game, said Murray on the BBC. AMPERT: The Fulham players understood nothing of the referee’s decision. Photo: JASON CAIRNDUFF / Reuters Hat trick from Haaland and Bobb debut With the lead in their pocket at the break, things went better for Manchester City in the second half. Barely fifteen minutes into the half, Haaland scored his first of the day, before he was safe from the penalty spot after 70 minutes of play. In overtime, he scored with a neat finish from twelve metres. It is Haaland’s seventh hat trick for Manchester City, after he scored four hat tricks in the Premier League last season, as well as one hat trick in both the FA Cup and the Champions League. The Norwegian now has an incredible 42 goals in 39 games in the Premier League. In addition, has nine assists. According to Opta, Haaland is the one who has spent the fewest matches to reach 50 goal points. The previous record was held by Andrew Cole, who took 43 games to reach the milestone. On the eve, Oscar Bobb also came on for the home team and thus made his debut in the Premier League. HERJET: Haaland scored three goals. Photo: OLI SCARFF / AFP
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Haaland wreaked havoc in City’s victory – the experts raged after “incomprehensible” scoring – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
