'Farcical': Football fans bewildered after offside rule confusion
The football world is bemused after Manchester City scored a bizarre goal to help them overcome Villa at the Etihad.
City broke the deadlock with a Bernardo Silva goal, but the lead-up was described as ‘farcical’ as the laws of the game came into question.
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The opening goal was controversial because Rodri was returning from an offside position when he dispossessed Villa defender Tyrone Mings before releasing Silva.
No offside was given, though, with the officials explaining post match that a new phase of play had started when Mings controlled the ball on his chest before being picked off by Rodri.
However, many Villa fans feel aggrieved since Rodri was unsighted for Mings, returning from an offside position and heading towards the ball, which he played.
The decision prompted many on social media to claim Rodri didn’t receive the ball but tackled Mings after a pass towards him from an offside position.
Man City score the clearest offside goal in the history of football! #MCFC pic.twitter.com/SoMmWomME5
— Terry Flewers (@TFlewers) January 20, 2021
Laws of the game 20/21 ,, it's a goal for city ⚽️ @btsportfootball pic.twitter.com/hPJB9bK5O3
— Robbie Savage (@RobbieSavage8) January 20, 2021
Was Rodri interfering with play from an offside position in the build-up to Bernardo Silva's breakthrough goal for Man City?
Peter Walton thinks so... 🧐 pic.twitter.com/M84e9J3KS1— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 20, 2021
Biggest offside I’ve seen in life ...Man City game today Dammnnnn
— Chucky🪓 (@Dyerjr_20) January 20, 2021
Mings doesn't have possession of the ball for long, man city got gifted a goal, feel bad for Aston villa. But let's use VAR to check if the guys pinky toe is offside 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/Y9tvbFglJo
— NaLa GaTeS🇰🇼🇺🇸 (@NaLa_GaTeS) January 20, 2021
How am I going to tell my kids that Mane was offside but Rodri wasn’t 😭😭😭😭😭 #VAR #ManCity pic.twitter.com/tC62J76Gn4
— Jamie. (@jamie16nufc) January 20, 2021
Villa coach fumes over goal
Following the goal, Ilkay Guendogan's penalty sealed a victory that extended the winning run of the Premier League's form team to six matches.
But Villa manager Dean Smith, who was sent off for protesting against the awarding of the goal, was having none of it.
"It was a farcical decision. I've not seen a goal like that given. It needs to be looked at. I don't think anyone in this stadium thought it was a goal," he said.
"Are we just going to leave players behind the line then? It's farcical. He was 10 yards offside and come back and tackled our player, it's a pathetic law and a pathetic decision."
City manager Pep Guardiola did not have a strong opinion on his side's controversial opener.
"I didn't watch the image on TV. I know they complained on the touchline but VAR is there," he said.
"I don't know exactly the rule but if it was offside I am pretty sure the goal would have been disallowed."
with AAP
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