Patrick Dorgu rescued a point for Manchester United as they drew 4-4 with Aston Villa but the headed strike has been subject to controversy
United's fourth goal being scored against Villa
Manchester United left it late to draw with Aston Villa(Image: Sky Sports)
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Manchester United have been told that Patrick Dorgu's late leveller against Aston Villa rightly stood after claims that opposing goalkeeper Zion Suzuki was fouled. The Dane headed home from a corner in the sixth minute of added time on Sunday to tie the game at 4-4.
United trailed by two goals twice at Old Trafford with manager Michael Carrick under immense pressure, but rallied to claim a point. However, their equaliser caused a stir. A corner was swung in deep into added time and Villa's Suzuki went for the ball but missed it.
He appeared to be put off by a couple of United players, including goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who had gone up for the set piece as United chased the game. The Villa players and Suzuki protested after Dorgu scored, but the goal stood. An ex-official believes the right call was made and Suzuki was not fouled.
Former Premier League referee Gallagher told Sky Sports: "I think it is a goal - does he make a lot of contact? He does make contact, there is no doubt about that.
"Is Suzuki strong enough? I am not sure, we saw last week against Fulham a similar incident where he goes to punch the ball. He goes into an area that is congested and once he gets there, he needs to get a firm punch on it and he does not.
"There is minimal contact, although there is contact, there is no doubt about that. Lammens is not looking at the ball and that does go against him, but is he looking to find a space, so it is harder for the goalkeeper to come through?
"It is one where the referee makes the decision and we talk about VAR assisting the referee, it has to be about the referee, who says 'No' and I think the referee is right."
Former Villa manager Tim Sherwood joined Gallagher on a panel. He thinks Cunha was the primary offender and admits that whilst he thinks the goalkeeper was fouled, the referee understandably did not blow his whistle. He said: "I think it is a foul, but do you get it in the 96th minute at Old Trafford? No.
"Is Lammens looking at the ball? No. He is a goalkeeper and knows how much contact he needs to give Suzuki there. The main offender was Cunha, who grabs Suzuki's left arm, which is what stops him."
Jay Bothroyd, who made 62 top-flight appearances during his career, thinks that Suzuki needed to do better with the delivery, but he reckons it was a foul. He said: "I do think Suzuki needs to be better. He needs to be stronger and get a punch away.
"Lammens clearly does not have his eyes on the ball, he is going into the 'keeper to put him off and there was some contact there when he went into him.
"If they had blown up for that, I would have known why. I think it is a foul as he is not looking at the ball and has gone into the 'keeper."