Wednesday evening saw one of the greatest shocks in recent years in the Carabao Cup, as Grimsby Town beat Manchester United.
The Mariners raced into a 2-0 lead at Blundell Park, with Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren scoring within eight minutes of each other to leave their Premier League opponents stunned.
In the second-half, Ruben Amorin brought on even more first team players to help his side turn around what had been a crushing cup tie. Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo and Matthijs de Ligt were all brought on to help stop the rut.
While Man United did find a way back into the game, and ultimately took it to penalties, it was not without controversy as Grimsby found the back of the net a third time, as the League Two side thought they made it 3-0.
Mark Clattenburg weighs in on Grimsby Town’s disallowed goal vs Manchester United
In the 71st minute as the Red Devils pushed to halve the deficit, the hosts caught United on the break and a slide rule pass was played in through the heart of the visitors’ defence.
Players of Grimsby Town celebrates victory during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Grimsby Town and Manchester United
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
However, it was blocked by Harry Maguire and the ball found itself at the feet of Cameron Gardner, who scored to make it 3-0, but he was deemed offside.
It was a controversial moment, and speaking exclusively to EFL Analysis former referee Mark Clattenburg has explained why Grimsby were denied that goal. He said: “Grimsby had a third goal disallowed for offside after Harry Maguire had touched the ball in the build up. The question is, did Maguire deliberately play the ball or was it a deflection?
“If it’s a deliberate play then the goal should have been awarded. The match officials deemed the touch a deflection so awarded an offside as the player who received the ball from Maguire’s touch was in an offside.
“A deflection involves a situation where the player had no control or deliberate intention to play the ball, some can argue that he had an intention to play the ball but had no control of the ball.
“It’s not a black and white situation and is again a subjective call but I would agree with the match officials as I don’t believe that Maguire was in total control of the ball.”
The Mariners still got their dream night despite the controversy
There is no doubting that the game would have been taken away from Man United had that third goal counted.
Yet, it was Grimsby who were able to hold their nerve from the spot-kicks, and they rightfully earned their place in the third round of the Carabao Cup. The Mariners will face Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in that game, but nothing will ever take away from their success.
Jaze Kabia of Grimsby Town celebrates victory with fans
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
The decision to disallow Gardner’s goal was a tough one, and on another day with another official, it may have counted, but Maguire did not seem to play the ball intentionally.
Nevertheless, those Grimsby supporters who witnessed that famous victory in the rain will not care.