ThePremier Leaguehas explained why Patrick Dorgu was not sent off despite appearing to bring down the last man duringManchester United’s 4-2 win over Brighton.
United claimed a third consecutive win on Saturday, roaring into a 3-0 lead thanks to strikes fromMatheus Cunha,CasemiroandBryan Mbeumo.
With the three points seemingly in the bag, Ruben Amorim made substitutions, notably bringing Amad Diallo off for Patrick Dorgu – a decision that changed the momentum of the match.
Just minutes after coming on, the left-wingback fouled Yakuba Minteh, who was the last man, on the edge of the box, giving away a free-kick and earning himself a yellow card.
Many were surprised by Anthony Taylor’s decision, as such incidents usually result in a red card, but VAR upheld the referee’s call.
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Danny Welbeck scored the resulting free-kick and theSeagullsgrabbed another in injury time through Charalampos Kostoulas, setting up a grandstand finish at Old Trafford.
Thankfully for Amorim, Mbeumo scored again in the final seconds to secure the victory, but the result could have been very different if the Red Devils had been reduced to 10 men.
Premier League Match Centre explained why Dorgu wasn’t given his marching orders, posting on Twitter: ‘The referee’s call of yellow card for the challenge by Dorgu on Minteh was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed not to be denial of a goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) due to the position of[Senne] Lammensand the likelihood of Minteh gaining control of the ball.’
United legend Gary Neville agreed with the decision upon seeing a replay, saying on Sky Sports: ‘It is a coming together. I thought the foul for the third goal was more of a foul than that one.
‘He [Minteh] was never getting it, he’d lost control of it. I actually don’t think that’s a foul. There’s nothing in it at all.’
As alluded to, Neville did express surprise that Mbeumo’s first goal was not disallowed afterLuke Shawappeared to grab the shirt of Georginio Rutter in the build-up, bringing his opponent down.
‘There is a left hand and a little bit of a pull,’ the former defender said.
‘It is soft but when you grab someone like that, he is away from Luke Shaw. I am surprised it hasn’t been pulled back. He is past him as well.’
Explaining that decision, Match Centre said: ‘The referee’s call of goal forManchester Unitedwas checked and confirmed by VAR – with the contact from Shaw on Rutter in the build-up deemed to be minimal.’
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