Matheus Cunha put Manchester United back in front against Nottingham Forest – with the goal allowed to stand despite a long review by the video assistant referee (VAR) of a possible handball by Bryan Mbeumo.
Cunha reacted quickly to fire in after Mbeumo’s shot was blocked in the Forest box, though the visitors immediately went up to appeal after the incident in the build-up.
Mbeumo appeared to bring the ball down via his arm and hip to create the position from which his teammate eventually converted, and VAR Matthew Donohue immediately reviewed the footage.
After watching the replays for an extended period of time, Donohue recommended that referee Michael Salisbury watch it back on the pitchside monitor.
It seemed, at that stage, as if the goal would be chalked off, but Salisbury, after a minute of reviewing himself, was happy to let it stand after deeming Mbeumo’s handball as accidental.
Salisbury said in his on-pitch announcement: “After review, the decision of goal stands because the handball offence is accidental. Therefore the final decision is goal.”
Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville was surprised by the decision.
“I think that is an absolute shocker in every single way,” Neville said. “It's ridiculous. The VAR have been quite clear, they said it has been disallowed, he has handballed it and brought the ball back into play. I can't believe what I have just seen to be honest.
“The VAR looked at it for three minutes and then the referee looks at it for another minute. They are overthinking it. They have got themselves into a real mess there.”
Former England striker Alan Shearer concurred with Neville’s assessment.
“Wow. That’s disgraceful,” he posted on X, formerly Twitter. “Shocking shocking shocking. That’s a CLEAR hand ball.”
The goal proved crucial, too, as Manchester United secured a 3-2 win after Mbeumo extended their advantage soon after the controversial goal. In the process, Bruno Fernandes equalled the Premier League assist record with a 20th of the campaign.
