Manchester United took the lead early into the second-half of their clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening thanks to a stellar strike from Patrick Dorgu - but the goal ran the risk of being ruled out
Patrick Dorgu seemingly handles the ball before his goal
Patrick Dorgu seemingly handled the ball before his goal(Image: )
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Mike Dean was quick to explain why Patrick Dorgu's goal against Arsenal for Manchester United was free to stand, despite seemingly handling the ball in the process. With the game level 1-1 after a thrilling first-half, the Red Devils full-back played a couple of cute one-twos with Bruno Fernandes on the edge of Arsenal's area before unleashing with venom with a volley.
The ball, on an upward trajectory, clattered off David Raya's crossbar before bulging the back of the net, as Dorgu wheeled off in celebration. However, there was a quick VAR check in the aftermath, given that the 21-year-old looked to have handled the ball before his strike.
Quick to confirm the findings of the check, Dean explained that the goal would stand as the handling of the ball was inconclusive after VAR's review of the footage. Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Premier League referee said: "We've just heard from the VAR, Paul Tierney, and it's a fair comment, it's inconclusive, you can't tell.
"That's what VAR just said, it looks like it's hit his hip. On field decision is correct, goal is given."
In a game filled with drama from the outset and throughout, it was Arsenal who struck first. The Gunners piled on the pressure early doors as they looked to make a statement on home soil, with Lisandro Martinez making a hash of a clearance in his six-yard box 29 minutes in. which saw the ball bundle into the back of his own net.
However, Arsenal didn't hold the lead for long. Around eight minutes later, Declan Rice's pass back towards David Raya was intercepted by Bryan Mbeumo, with the Cameroonian coolly rounding his opposing goalkeeper and blasting the ball into a gaping goal.
Speaking about the incident, Gary Neville was quick to share a piece of his mind with Mikel Arteta, lambasting the Spaniard's tactical approach after taking a vital lead. He was heard on Sky Sports saying: "Well you have to say Arsenal’s management and control of the game since going one up has been terrible. They’ve really gifted United two or three moments and that one is the biggest gift."
At half-time, meanwhile, Roy Keane also claimed that taking the lead seemingly hindered Arsenal early into the encounter. The former United captain said: "It looked like the goal kind of set Arsenal back a little bit.
"They definitely look tentative, they look nervous. It's a bit like the Liverpool game here a few weeks ago.
"The fans seem nervous, as if they're afraid to embrace the challenge. They're more concentrating on not losing the game."
Speaking about Mbeumo's goal, he added: "I don't know where Declan is going there, the ball goes back to [Martin] Zubimendi a bit too quickly really. He's got to do better.
"A bit of calmness, a bit of composure. And United obviously have had a lot of encouragement. You can see it here again, Arsenal, just even trying to keep it at the back.
"They looked a bit nervous at the back. Lovely, lovely finish and United deserved that. There's definitely tension in the air and they're not dealing with it."
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