Noni Madueke believes he should be awarded Arsenal’s second goal against Leeds United, arguing that his effort was on target when the goalkeeper made contact.
Noni Madueke undoubtedly had a major role in Arsenal’s 2-0 lead at half-time of Saturday’s match away to Leeds United, having assisted Martin Zubimendi’s opening goal before his corner found its way in for the Gunners’ second.
Yet there was some debate about which player should be awarded the second goal, with Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow getting a hand on the corner but only managing to punch it into his own net.
The official ruling in the immediate aftermath was a Darlow own goal, much to Madueke’s disappointment in interviews following the game.
“How can that be an own goal?” Madueke asked on BBC Sport. “It was going on target, if the keeper’s not in the goal then it goes in, so, I don’t understand how that’s an own goal.
“Premier League, please take a look at that and fix it for me.”
If the ball was going in the net already, it should indeed be given as a goal, not an own goal, even if an opposition player gets a significant touch on the ball as it goes in.
The issue here is perhaps determining whether or not the ball was actually set to find the net or not. Given the tight angle of the effort from the corner spot, figuring out the trajectory of the ball from available camera angles is more difficult here than in many other cases.
Though the Premier League are yet to change their decision on the goalscorer, Arsenal could decide to prompt a review.
Clubs are allowed to appeal against a decision to the Premier League’s Goal Accreditation Appeals Panel, who will then review the footage and make a decision. It’s up to the Gunners whether they think they have a strong enough case for it to be worth the effort.