'It was offside' — Haaland feels sorry for goal given to Manchester City against Fulham

Manchester City star Erling Haaland || Image credit: Imago

'It was offside' — Haaland feels sorry for goal given to Manchester City against Fulham

Faruq Ibrahim 23:50 - 02.09.2023

Erling Haaland condemns refereeing decision that favoured his team against Fulham.

Manchester City forward Erling Haaland agrees with aggrieved Fulham fans and staff over Nathan Ake's goal, admitting that it was truly offside.  

Although Pep Guardiola's side went on to inflict a heavy 5-1 defeat, the incident Haaland spoke about was a key turning point in the game. 

The game was tied at 1-1 before Ake restored City's lead just before half-time. Buoyed by going into the break ahead, the Premier League champions were a different beast in the second-half and eventually blew their opponents away thanks to an Erling Haaland hat-trick. 

What Marco Silva said

Disgruntled Fulham boss Marco Silva believes Ake's goal should have never stood.

"Everyone that plays football and has some knowledge of the game would be 100% sure [the VAR] has to disallow the goal," he said, per the BBC.

"The more times you see that, the more you know it has to be disallowed. The player pulled away from the line of the ball and into the direction of goal. It is a clear offside. It is impossible for the VAR not to see it."

Marco Silva reacts after Manchester City s second goal was allowed to stand during the FA Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Fulham FC at the City of Manchester Stadium || Imago
Marco Silva reacts after Manchester City s second goal was allowed to stand during the FA Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Fulham FC at the City of Manchester Stadium || Imago

What Haaland said 

Despite being a beneficiary of the decision, Haaland agrees with Silva, saying that the goal was offside and should have never stood. 

"It was offside. I feel bad for them - I would be fuming after this as well. It must be a horrible feeling,” Haaland admitted.

Erling Haaland celebrates one of his numerous goals for Manchester City | Imago
Erling Haaland celebrates one of his numerous goals for Manchester City | Imago

The former Dortmund striker will join Norway for the coming international break, and will next be in action for Manchester City on September 16 with a trip to West Ham.

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