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| Good Goal: Nani |
Once again, a "controversial" goal was scored in the fixture between Manchester United and Tottenham at Old Trafford.
In the 85th minute, Nani went on a run in the box. he was brought down, but nothing was given. There were small complaints from Nani on the floor, as his hand touched the ball, which was behind him - but no free-kick was given. Therefore, the game continued, with the ball in open play. The referee and the linesman gave nothing, and Gomes also continued. The goalkeeper, who isn't the sharpest tool in the box, it has to be said, picked up the ball, ran forward six or seven yards forward, and dropped the ball, as if to prepare to kick it. He did not kick it, and Nani, who had picked himself up, took the opportunity to score.
Firstly, it was a penalty. Secondly, if the referee didn't see the handball - which he clearly didn't (or rather, he has now come out to say that he played the advantage to Tottenham and Gomes), then it can't be a free-kick. Thirdly, if Gomes thought it was a free-kick, then why did he run forward with the ball, six or seven yards to take it?
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| Error: Gomes |
The Tottenham goalkeeper never struck me as very clever at all, and this obvious error confirms it. If Tottenham fans want to blame anyone, then it should surely be Gomes. A free-kick was not given, and the referee was clearly signalling to him to get on with the game. He ran forwards, backwards, and again, trying to decide whether to kick the ball. It was a Gomes mistake, and he was punished.
Despite this controversy, United were greatly improved from previous performances. They passed the ball very well around the Tottenham players, and after Vidic's early goal, were able to keep their cool, as well as the ball.
Tottenham too were very good in the first half. They were a threat going forward, and used their pace in Lennon and Bale to get round defenders. Linking with Van der Vaart made the pace of the game so much faster, and this made for a very entertaining first half.The second half produced fewer chances for both sides, and after Van der Vaart went off with a hamstring injury, Tottenham lost a lot of their midfield threat.
It was unfortunate that the goal had to be so controversial, as the game was so good, but it did happen, and there will now be replays shown again and again, as well as endless discussions, but from what I saw, it was a good goal.
