Neal Maupay put Brentford ahead against Manchester City in controversial circumstances on Monday, but there is a simple reason why the goal was not disallowed.
Man City lost twice to Brentford last season, and despite forcing Mark Flekken into three good saves in the opening 14 minutes, it was their bogey team that struck first.
Flekken launched a goal kick forward in the 21st minute, and it went straight through the City defence and was slotted past Ederson by Maupay.
Advert
Pep Guardiola's players appealed for offside, both against Maupay and Ivan Toney.
Maupay was in an offside position when the goal kick was taken, while Toney came from an offside position to block Nathan Ake from intercepting the long ball.
But as Sky Sports commentator Seb Hutchinson explained, the awarding of a goal was the correct decision.
Advert
"I think some of the City players had to be explained that rule as well. If Toney had touched it, it would have been offside. But he left it."
Players can't be offside from a goal kick, meaning Toney's involvement in the play - challenging for the ball with Ake but not touching it - and Maupay running onto the ball were both legal.
Had Toney touched the ball on its way through to Maupay, then Maupay would have been flagged offside, as the ball would not have come directly to him from a goal kick.
City enjoyed over 70% possession and took a total of 17 shots in the first half and eventually found a way past Flekken when Phil Foden controlled a poor defensive header and slotted the into the bottom corner.
Advert
Maupay has now scored in three consecutive league games, after recently finding the back of the net against Tottenham and Nottingham Forest.
The striker was at the centre of controversy last week when he imitated James Maddison's goal celebration after scoring the opener against Tottenham.
The 27-year-old ended up red-faced as Tottenham ran out 3-2 winners.
Featured Image Credit: Sky SportsTopics: Manchester City, Brentford, Premier League