Scott Parker left fuming that Edinson Cavani’s goal for Man United was not ruled out for offside

Scott Parker left fuming that Edinson Cavani’s stunning goal for Manchester United was not ruled out for offside… but Fulham boss admits he is proud of his side’s display after Joe Bryan’s header earns visitors draw

  • Edinson Cavani put Man United ahead with a delightful lob against Fulham 
  • However, the 34-year-old was offside when David de Gea played the ball out 
  • Bruno Fernandes did not appear to touch the ball and he said so himself 
  • Scott Parker was left fuming the goal was allowed to stand in the days of VAR 

Scott Parker was left raging that Edinson Cavani’s goal was not ruled out for offside after seeing his Fulham side earn a draw at Manchester United.

The Uruguayan put Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men ahead in the first half with a delightful lob over Alphonse Areola from 40 yards out in front of fans at Old Trafford for the first time in 14 months.

However, the 34-year-old was stood in an offside position when David de Gea fizzed the ball out to Bruno Fernandes, who did not appear to touch the ball before it found its way through to Cavani.

Cavani scored a delightful lob

Scott Parker (left) was left raging that Edinson Cavani’s goal was not ruled out for offside

Cavani opened the scoring with a delightful lob over Alphonse Areola from 40 yards

Cavani opened the scoring with a delightful lob over Alphonse Areola from 40 yards

The striker would have been undoubtedly been onside had Fernandes touched the ball, but replays did not show any conclusive signs that the Portugal midfielder had done so, and the final decision was something Parker could not comprehend with VAR at referees’ disposal. 

‘I don’t understand how it’s not offside. The fourth official said if Fernandes hasn’t touched it he’s five yards offside,’ Parker said.

‘I’ve looked at it back. I can understand if we didn’t have VAR, I get that that goal can be given due to human error, but when you can slow it down and look at the angles you can see he’s not touched it.’ 

Speaking after the game, Fernandes stated he did not feel he made contact the ball, stating: ‘Honestly I didn’t feel the touch. The referee said I touched the ball. 

But Cavani was offside when de Gea passed the ball and Fernandes did not appear to touch it

But Cavani was offside when de Gea passed the ball and Fernandes did not appear to touch it

‘How it is, I don’t care honestly. I always say the most important goal is the one that hits the net, it doesn’t matter who gets the goal or the assist.’

Sky Sports pundits Graeme Souness and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink agreed that the goal should have been chalked off.

Souness said: ‘It was great vision from Cavani, he knows he is in on goal, he has his head up, and he executes it perfectly.

‘I don’t think so [if Fernandes touched the ball]. It is inconclusive, but if you watch the dot [on the centre of the ball], if there was any touch the dot would have moved, even with the slightest movement. 

‘That solid dot from bouncing does not deviate at all. I think they got it wrong.’ 

Joe Bryan however scored a header in the second half to ensure the visitors left with a point

Joe Bryan however scored a header in the second half to ensure the visitors left with a point

Meanwhile, former Chelsea forward Hasselbaink said: ‘We can see that Fernandes does not touch it. It is a great goal but it should not have stood.’

The decision however did not cost Fulham all three points, as Joe Bryan headed home an equaliser from Bobby Decordova-Reid in the second half, in a display which Parker admitted was up to standard.  

‘Our performance levels have been there,’ Parker added. 

‘We managed to put one in the net and defended pretty well. I understand we’re judged on a win and a loss but in terms of the performance it’s been there.’