Michael Oliver would have ruled out Nathan Ake’s goal for Man City against Fulham if it had been sent to his screen, says CHRIS FOY, refereeing expert at Mail Sport

• Manchester City defeated Fulham 5-1 in Saturday’s Premier League clash
• Nathan Ake scored a header while Manuel Akanji was caught offside
• Former referee Chris Foy explains why he wouldn’t have allowed the goal

Man City were awarded a goal in Saturday’s 5-1 win over Fulham, although some said it was ruled out for offside.

Nathan Ake headed his side’s second goal just before half-time, while Manuel Akanji jumped for the ball from an offside position.

Akanji didn’t touch the ball but potentially hampered Fulham keeper Bernd Leno’s ability to save the shot as he was right in front of the German stopper.

It came at a pivotal point in the game, with City taking over the momentum at a point when the game was fairly even.

Mail Sport’s CHRIS FOY, a former Premier League referee and PGMOL representative, explains how the decision was made and what should have happened.

Nathan Ake’s goal against Fulham on Saturday came while Manuel Akanji was flagged for offside in front of goalkeeper Bernd Leno. The goal stood and City continued their 100 percent record with a 5-1 win

Manchester City’s Nathan Ake heads the ball towards the Fulham goal where his teammate Manuel Akanji, who is flagged for offside, jumps and the ball goes into the goal, beating goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

Akanji makes no contact with the ball and as we know, being in an offside position is not an offence. So Tony Harrington, who was on VAR duty, will have looked at the goal and will have to decide whether Akanji was brought into play. If so, then he should have been penalized for being offside.

The VAR felt Akanji didn’t hit the keeper directly as he jumps over his line as he doesn’t obstruct the Fulham player’s line of sight. And since it was a subjective decision, he decided not to recommend a review to the on-field referee, Michael Oliver.

Had Michael been advised to sit in front of the canvas, I’m pretty sure he would have disallowed the goal for offside, which I think would have been the fair call.

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