Manchester United's second goal in their 5-2 win over Ipswich Town should have been disallowed because Harry Maguire's handball was not accidental, making the decision a leading contender for the worst refereeing call of the Premier League season.
The goal, an own goal by Jacob Greaves that put United 2-1 ahead, was allowed to stand after VAR Jarred Gillett advised referee Craig Pawson to award it. The Premier League released Gillett's assessment, in which he told Pawson: "It's an own goal and the accidental handball is not punishable. So, we recommend you award the goal."
Rule change and the key error
The rule change, introduced for the 2021/22 Premier League season, states that if a player is guilty of accidental handball and then scores, the goal is disallowed. However, Maguire's shot was off-target and only went in via the deflection off Greaves, so the goal stood.
But the bottom line is that the officials got it badly wrong. Maguire's handball was not accidental. The United defender raised his hand towards his chest and the ball when making his challenge, putting himself in a position that gave every chance of a handball. A clear one followed.
Maguire and O'Neil react
Maguire admitted United got "a bit of luck," smiling: "It's a new rule. We deserved that bit of luck." Ipswich manager Gary O'Neil also knew the goal should not have stood but was right not to make too much of a big deal, as his team ended up distinctly second best.
United went on to score three more goals and had 33 attempts on goal in the contest. Even without that decision, Michael Carrick's side would almost certainly have overwhelmed Ipswich. They were excellent and did not need help. But did they get it? You decide.
