English Premier League
“Should clearly be a foul” – Calvin Bassey on Manchester United’s goal in nervy draw
By Oluwadamilola Olaleye
Nigeria international Calvin Bassey has expressed his frustration over the decision to allow Manchester United’s goal to stand in Fulham’s 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage, insisting he was fouled in the build-up.
The Nigerian defender argued that United’s new signing Leny Yoro shoved him before the decisive touch, giving the visitors an unfair advantage.
Despite the controversy, Fulham managed to salvage a point late on when Emile Smith Rowe converted an Alex Iwobi cross to secure a share of the spoils.
Earlier, Manchester United had also been awarded a contentious penalty after a VAR review — one they failed to convert — further fueling debate around the officiating.
Bassey was candid in his post-match reflections: “Of course, looking back maybe a bit too much force. One of those ones I have got to protect myself and get in a position to attack the ball,” he told BBC Live Football Updates.
“You have seen them given, and you have seen them not. When you look at everything back in slo-mo, it is always going to be a foul. The ref has to take into consideration the difference in strength. If someone is my size, it doesn’t look as bad.”
On United’s goal, he was even firmer: “For me, it is clear and obvious. He has got two hands in the back and he [Yoro] has created an advantage for himself.
“If there is no contact, I get up there and fight with him. He has clearly stopped me from getting to the ball. For me, it should clearly be a foul.”
Fulham boss Marco Silva backed his player’s stance, describing the refereeing decisions as “unbelievable.”
“They were unbelievable — seeing two fouls at the same time, Shaw on Rodrigo and Bassey on Mount. Both fouls. They just saw that Bassey’s came half a second earlier,” Silva complained.
The result means Fulham remain unbeaten with two points from their opening two Premier League matches, though both Bassey and Silva felt it could and should have been more.
