"Even at the end of a performance that was, if nothing else, a perfect example of empty and bloodless systems football, 90 minutes that felt like watching a robot with a cold go for a walk, this thing can still offer you stories, mini-arcs, narrative Easter eggs. The only shame is we wil have to wait another six months, April at Stamford Bridge, to see if Bruno Fernandes can complete the perfect hat-trick of weirdly missed west London penalties."
"There was a more nuanced take on the delayed Bruno west London spot-kick fluff plot device. This time he was subjected to an interlude of mental disintegration by the video assistant referee, who took three minutes to decide Nathan Collins had not, repeat not, impeded a goalscoring opportunity by pulling back Bryan Mbuemo eight yards from goal with the ball heading his way."
Manchester United delivered a 90-minute performance characterized as empty, bloodless systems football, likened to a robot with a cold taking a walk. The match still produced narrative elements, notably concerns over Bruno Fernandes and west London penalties. Fernandes reacted angrily at Fulham after a minor collision with the referee and kicked the ball into the crowd. Against Brentford the VAR took three minutes to determine Nathan Collins had not denied an obvious goalscoring opportunity by pulling back Bryan Mbuemo eight yards from goal. Referee Craig Pawson awarded a penalty and booked Collins, while the VAR did not recommend a review. Law 12 specifies caution or sending-off criteria for such offences.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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