Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has argued that Manchester City’s opening goal against Liverpool in Sunday’s Premier League title match was “absolutely fine.”
Jurgen Klopp‘s side aimed to return to the top of the standings after dropping to second place following Arsenal’s 2-1 victory against Brentford. However, John Stones scored the opening goal for City at Anfield.
The former Everton player slotted home a superb Kevin De Bruyne corner beyond Caoimhin Kelleher at the front post. However, there were expectations that VAR would overturn the score after Nathan Ake appeared to block Alexis MacAllister‘s intervention.
Unfortunately for Liverpool, the goal stood, and City‘s early advantage on Merseyside was rewarded. Dean, who appeared on Sky Sports alongside Peter Drury, Gary Neville, and Jamie Carragher, explained why the goal was perfectly acceptable.
“I think when you see from behind the goal, Mac Allister is actually pulling Ake towards him,” the former referee stated. “For me there was nothing wrong with the goal to be honest with you.”
Neville described Ake’s role in the goal as “clever,” but questioned whether VAR would intervene. He remarked, “I’ll have to look at it again, but that was brilliant from De Bruyne. “How did he spot that run?!”They must have worked on that.
“They must have worked hard on that; what a man to achieve that aim, what a man for the occasion! Ake is so brilliant that he blocks Mac Allister, but VAR might look at it – is he stopping him from an offside position? Is he blocking him from entering that space?
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