Man Utd get lucky escape as Joao Pedro goal controversially ruled out by VAR for foul on Diogo Dalot
MANCHESTER UNITED got a lucky escape as VAR ruled out Brighton from taking the lead at Old Trafford – at least for a short time anyway.
The Seagulls were leading United thanks to Yankuba Minteh’s opener on five minutes.
But a mistake at the back cost the visitors and Joshua Zirkzee was through on goal.
That was until Carlos Baleba dragged him to the ground – allowing Bruno Fernandes to level from the spot on 23 minutes.
The game was level when Brighton got a free-kick ten minutes after the break.
And in a calamitous display of defending at the back, Joao Pedro pounced in the box to score.
But after a VAR check, Jan Paul van Hecke was adjudged to have fouled Diogo Dalot in the build up.
Dalot just got his foot to the ball first, with Van Hecke following through and nicking his boot – enough for it to be deemed a foul.
Premier League’s Match Centre service clarified: “The referee’s call of goal was checked by VAR, who deemed there was a foul by van Hecke on Dalot in the build-up and recommended an on-field review.
“The referee overturned the original decision and the goal was disallowed.”
But United’s blushes were spared only momentarily as minutes later Kaoru Mitoma converted from a back post cross to make it 2-1.
And a calamitous mistake from keeper Andre Onana gifted Georginio Rutter the chance to make it 3-1 and seal the victory.
It leaves United 13th in the league.