Matt Crooks' second-half equaliser was a memorable moment for Middlesbrough as the Championship side pulled level with Manchester United at Old Trafford, but the goal wasn't without controversy.
After seeing Jadon Sancho open the scoring in the first half, Crooks brought Boro level in the 64th minute, helping lead the Championship club into extra time against the Premier League giants.
But the goal was a controversial one as the ball struck Duncan Watmore's hand in the run-up to the goal.
WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT 😱@mdrcrooks scores against the club he supports for @Boro! 💥#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/dgtNknW8c3— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 4, 2022
VAR didn't give this as handball 🤔 pic.twitter.com/CRPAq5lShF— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 4, 2022
Crooks' goal came in the 64th minute as he was teed up by Watmore, who was able to bring down a pass from Isaiah Jones.
However, in bringing that pass down, Watmore saw the ball bounce off his foot and up into his right hand before he fired the ball right into Crooks' path for the leveller.
Man Utd players surrounded referee Anthony Taylor in protest, but the goal was given as VAR determined that Watmore's handling of the ball was accidental.
Updated rules say that a handball can only be called if a "player deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm, moving the hand/arm towards the ball", adding that a goal could be ruled out if the player "scores in the opponents' goal directly from their hand/arm, even if accidental, including by the goalkeeper".
By the letter of the law, the goal would have been disallowed if Watmore himself had scored the goal but, as the handball was accidental and in the run-up, the goal was allowed to stand.
MuyimbwaNelson
236
United lost because of him .He don't want even to be substituted😡
fekbstyz
172
People COMPLAINING about Messi because PSG went out of the France cup. Bit messi DIDN’T got a Proper Chance ‼️‼️‼️ but all the HYPOCRITES won’t say that ‼️‼️ THANKS TO CR7 ManU LOST THIS MATCH ‼️‼️ CAUSE HE MISSED THE PENALTY ❌. Where are all the HYPOCRITES ⁉️⁉️
The_Analyst
72
I seriously dont know why lotta people keep wasting their time watching Manutd games,let alone complaining about team or blaming the ref, VAR, poor pitch, the weather etc, each time they lose. The team is simply not good enough and lack that winning mentality,its that simple. yes Penalty is a game of chances but a club like ManU shouldn't be dragging game into shoot out with clubs like 'Boro in the first place. I can bet anything that, 2nd or 3rd team of Man city, liverpool and Chelsea would have whipped 'boro 3 to 5 nil comfortably, what ManUtd 1st team couldnt do. So please enough of the noise, that team is total trash and nothing good will come out of Manutd this season, absolutely NOTHING. for the record, I used to love watching ManU n did support them a lot, my interest started dwindling when Mourinho came aboard, n finally terminated during Ole's era. it wasn't only about the coaches and players, but the Manutd management. if you understand football n the politics that lie within, then you'll understand my point. its lotta shame and pain watching Manutd play these days, so I'll rather save myself the time n pain to do more important stuff during the games, albeit I'll see the highlight or read the news. Hope things return to those glory days at Manutd someday.
JustineEtuk
12
United lost because of him .He don't want even to be substituted😡
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No... leave him there... United should continue dwelling in the past continue putting all their hope in a 37 year old man who is way past his best, While other teams are building for the future... Man gets so furious when substituted as though he is untouchable... It’s crazy really. United didn’t need him to be honest.
Unitedforlife6
9
United lost because of him .He don't want even to be substituted😡
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he didn't even do his basic job..keep him foe the goals they said, give him chances they said...he had everything and he failed...what else does he need
Kojogee
9
So what is the difference between man u and useless.