Harry Maguire’s controversial effort in Manchester United’s 5-2 win over Ipswich Town was allowed because his shot was going wide before it deflected into the net off defender Jacob Greaves.
The incident at Old Trafford on Sunday left supporters questioning how a goal could be awarded when Maguire appeared to handle the ball before striking it.
However, the goal was recorded as an own goal rather than one for Maguire. That distinction meant the accidental handball was not considered punishable under the laws of the game.
Maguire’s initial attempt was slightly off target before it struck Ipswich defender Greaves and changed direction into the net. Had the shot been heading towards goal and Maguire had been credited with scoring, the handball would have resulted in the goal being disallowed.
Instead, because Maguire’s effort was deemed to be missing the target and the ball went in only after touching an opponent, the goal stood.
The decision was explained during the match by video assistant referee Jarred Gillett to referee Craig Pawson.
‘It’s an own goal and the accidental handball is not punishable, so we recommend you award the goal,’ Gillett said.
The goal could have been ruled out if the officials had decided that Maguire handled the ball deliberately.
Maguire denied intentionally using his hand and said he had dragged his shot wide.
‘It wasn’t handball on purpose, that’s for sure!’ Maguire told Sky Sports. ‘I don’t know if it brushed my fingers. I actually dragged the shot a little bit wide so it’s going to go down as an own goal!’
The unusual decision became one of the main talking points from a match in which Manchester United scored five times against Ipswich.
Ipswich manager Gary O’Neil accepted the explanation, although he admitted that the rule was difficult to apply and that the outcome did not feel right.
‘It’s a really tough rule to ref,’ he told the BBC.
‘Maguire’s shot was missing by quite a way. But what if it’s heading somewhere near the post and it’s too close to tell?
‘It doesn’t feel like a goal. It feels like it should be chalked off but we accept that it isn’t and that’s the rule. We have to be ready for Liverpool on Friday.’
Former England striker and pundit Darren Bent also questioned the fairness of the outcome while acknowledging that the decision followed the wording of the law.
‘It’s one of those rules where I understand because it’s there in black and white, but it still doesn’t feel right,’ he said on Sky Sports.
‘Harry Maguire directly impacts what happens to the ball and it ends up in the back of the net at a crucial time for Ipswich.
‘If it hits your hand and he is the one that directly impacts it, it’s not a nice one to take.’
The goal therefore remained valid despite Maguire’s involvement, because it was judged to have become an own goal after Greaves deflected an initially wayward shot.
