Haaland makes honest admission over controversial Ake goal

Erling Haaland admits he would have been ‘FUMING’ if Manchester City had been at the wrong end of Nathan Ake’s controversial goal against Fulham

• Erling Haaland netted a hat-trick in a dominant 5-1 victory over Fulham 
• Nathan Ake though put Manchester City 2-1 ahead in controversial fashion
• Haaland admitted that Fulham should feel hard done by from City’s second goal 

Erling Haaland admitted he would have been ‘fuming’ if Manchester City had been on the wrong end of their controversial second goal against Fulham.

With the score level at 1-1, Nathan Ake put Pep Guardiola’s side ahead with a header, though many expected it to be ruled out for offside.

Fulham’s defensive line had moved up, leaving Manuel Akanji offside as the defender jumped over the ball before it hit the back of the net.

Referee Michael Oliver awarded the goal in a decision which was not overturned by VAR, leaving Fulham players and boss Marco Silva fuming – as City then went on to run away with a dominant 5-1 victory.

Haaland, who netted his first hat-trick of the season during the victory, made an honest admission after the game as he said: ‘It was the perfect end of the week. It’s good to be back. In the end we win 5-1 and it’s well deserved. I think it was offside as well, I feel bad for them, I would be fuming after this as well. It must be a horrible feeling for them.

‘Last year was also difficult to start but we’ve been taking more points now. In the end it’s been a perfect start because we’ve won four games, but we have a much higher level and it’s about working towards that.’

Erling Haaland netted a hat-trick against Fulham but felt that the Cottagers could feel hard done by from team-mate Nathan Ake’s header which had put Manchester City 2-1 up

Swiss defender Manuel Akanji could be clearly seen in an offside position for Ake’s goal

Oliver after consulting with his assistant decided that Akanji hadn’t sought to gain an advantage despite feinting to get the ball and raise a leg which appeared to influence Fulham keeper Bernd Leno. 

VAR official Tony Harrington decided no error had been made so it didn’t merit Oliver watching again pitch-side.

However, prior to the restart, the goal was shown on the giants screens at the Etihad, prompting pandemonium among the Fulham players and a long delay, as the rather obvious offside was seemingly clear to all. 

Fulham boss Silva after the game said: ‘What I can say is that everyone that plays football, that has played football that has some knowledge about football is one hundred per cent sure that you disallow that goal. Of course, anyone would be furious if a goal like that comes against you.

Officials decided not to overturn the goal with Man City taking the lead in controversial fashion

Marco Silva and his players were left seething after the goal stood despite a VAR check

‘For the linesman, it can be difficult. Is he in an offside position, can he see or not? But for the VAR it’s impossible not to disallow that goal. 

‘It’s clear he [Akanji] is in the line of the ball. He pulled away from the line of the ball in the direction of the goal and influenced completely the goalkeeper and the goalkeeper’s reaction. Its’ a clear offside and this is what will concern anyone in football. How that goal was allowed by the VAR?’

Mail Sport’s Chris Foy said that Oliver would have ruled out Ake’s goal if he had been sent to his screen. 

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