Premier League explain controversial Man Utd decision vs Brighton | Football | Sport
Ex-England shot-stopper Paul Robinson reckons Manchester United were robbed of a stonewall penalty in the first half of their encounter with Brighton and Hove Albion – and the Premier League Match Centre has issued a statement to explain the controversial decision. Amad tumbled inside the Seagulls’ box following a challenge from Brighton’s Maxim De Cuyper, yet no penalty was given despite clear contact and the defender getting nowhere near the ball.
Ruben Amorim‘s men are hunting a hat-trick of consecutive triumphs following victories over Sunderland and Liverpool. The 2-1 triumph at Anfield last weekend marked their first successive Premier League wins under their Portuguese manager. However, frustration mounted during the opening 45 minutes at Old Trafford against Fabian Hurzeler’s outfit after the Red Devils were refused a spot-kick.
Referee Anthony Taylor’s choice not to point to the penalty spot was savaged by Robinson. “How that’s not been given I do not know,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “That should be a penalty to Manchester United.
“That’s a mistake from the referee. I’m not having it at all [there being a touch on the ball by Maxim De Cuyper].”
Taylor’s judgement at M16 received support from VAR. And a statement from the Premier League’s Match Centre account on social media platform X, read: “The referee’s call of no penalty to Manchester United was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that De Cuyper played the ball.”
The controversial call perhaps galvanised Amorim’s troops into life, with Matheus Cunha breaking the deadlock mere moments afterwards for United.
It marked the maiden goal for him since his switch to the Red Devils from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer. United managed to double their lead before the interval, with a deflected strike from Casemiro providing them with some much-needed breathing space and a 2-0 lead going into half-time.
A win would propel Amorim’s squad into the top four, ahead of Liverpool‘s visit to Brentford on Saturday evening.
