Erling Haaland was back to his usual best as he let loose on Fulham yesterday as Manchester City moved back to the top of the league. City hosted Marco Silva’s team and began the game well through a Julian Alvarez goal in the 31st minute. Fulham quickly equalized through Tim Ream two minutes later. City did manage to get back the lead in extra time of half time, with Nathan Ake’s header.
It was then that Haaland unleashed himself. He first scored in the 58th minute, before making it a brace due to a penalty in the 70th minute. He then completed a brilliant hat trick with his third goal in extra time. The win now means City are back on top of the table. Following the defeat, the Fulham manager didn’t hold back in explaining his disappointment over the poor decisions made by the referee.
Fulham manager lets loose on match officiating following Haaland battering
While City won the match comfortably due to Haaland’s monstrous performance, Fulham manager Marco Silva was still angry about the referee’s decision. More specifically, he was convinced that the second goal should not have been awarded to City due to offside. Before Nathan Ake had scored, another City player, Manuel Akanji, who was offside, was deemed to have interfered in the play.
However, a quick VAR review by referee Michael Oliver and VAR Tony Harrington concluded that he was not and the goal was given. Marco Silva ranted about the decision in the post-game press conference. He felt that the second goal was crucial to their humiliating defeat.
Marco Silva was fuming at the decision to allow Nathan Ake's goal stand 😤 pic.twitter.com/nBQWAuH4EQ
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) September 2, 2023
He said the VAR decision was totally wrong, “Everyone that plays football and has some knowledge of the game would be 100% sure the VAR has to disallow the goal. 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 the goal. It is a clear offside. It is impossible for the VAR not to see it.”
Even hat trick hero Erling Haaland admitted it was offside while he was talking to beIN SPORTS: “It was offside. I feel bad for them, I would be fuming after this as well. It must be a horrible feeling.”
Fans back Silva in Erling Haaland hattrick aftermath
This was not the first time managers and fans were displeased with referee decisions in the Premier League. Luton Town was recently deprived of a penalty against West Ham, earning much criticism towards the league’s referees.
Fans quickly went to social media to express their support for Marco Silva’s statements. One Twitter user pointed out the recent trend of wrong decisions, saying, “Scandalous refereeing week in and week out. Welcome to the Premier League.”
Scandalous refereeing week in week out. Welcome to the Premier League.
— The Nomad Post. (@the_nomad_post) September 2, 2023
Another shared the same sentiment, “Week in week out, they keep showing why they the worst in Europe. Shameless officials.”
Week in week out, they keep showing why they the worst in Europe. Shameless officials
— WAALE (@JBL_Wale) September 2, 2023
Another wrote how the decision possibly affected the whole game, “You may argue that even without that second goal, they’d still win the match 4-1 but the truth is the goal has a psychological impact on both teams. At 1-1, the game was still open.”
City and Erling Haaland will now take on West Ham on Saturday in an away game and will hope to get another win to continue their title march.
