Neal Maupay gave Brentford the lead against Manchester City in contentious circumstances on Monday, but there’s a straightforward explanation why the goal stood.
Manchester City suffered two defeats against Brentford last season, and despite testing Mark Flekken with three excellent saves in the opening 14 minutes, it was their troublesome opponent who struck first.
In the 21st minute, Flekken launched a goal kick forward, bypassing the City defense, and Maupay capitalized by converting past Ederson.
Pep Guardiola’s players protested for offside against both Maupay and Ivan Toney.
Maupay was indeed in an offside position when the goal kick was taken, while Toney came from an offside position to impede Nathan Ake from intercepting the long ball.
Nonetheless, Sky Sports pundit Seb Hutchinson argued that allowing the goal was the correct decision.
“I believe some of the City players needed clarification on the rule as well. If Toney had made contact, it would have been deemed offside. But he refrained from doing so.”
Players cannot be offside from a goal kick, meaning Toney’s involvement in the play – contesting for the ball with Ake but refraining from touching it – and Maupay’s pursuit of the ball were both permissible.
Had Toney made contact with the ball en route to Maupay, Maupay would have been flagged offside because it didn’t come directly to him from a goal kick.
Despite City dominating possession with nearly 70% and registering 17 shots in the first half, Phil Foden eventually breached Flekken’s defense by controlling a poor defensive header and slotting it into the bottom corner.
Maupay has now scored in three consecutive league matches, including goals against Tottenham and Nottingham Forest.
The striker drew criticism last week for mimicking James Maddison’s goal celebration after scoring the opener against Tottenham.
Tottenham eventually won 3-2, leaving the 27-year-old embarrassed.
