Why was Benjamin Sekso ‘handball’ goal allowed to stand?

The Premier League has sought to explain why Benjamin Sekso’s goal stood following a VAR check on a possible handball. The VAR Stuart Attwell checked whether the ball brushed off Sesko’s hand before crossing the line.

An update from the Premier League Match Centre confirmed: “The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed there was no conclusive evidence that Sesko handled the ball before scoring.”

Jamie Braidwood4 May 2026 05:00

Has Bruno Fernandes equalled the Premier League assist record?

Bruno Fernandes is attempting to equal the Premier League assist record held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne but the Manchester United captain was not credited for setting up Benjamin Sesko’s goal against rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Fernandes, who is on 19 assists and is one behind Henry and De Bruyne’s single-season record of 20, headed back across goal before Liverpool goalkeeper Freddie Woodman punched the ball onto striker Sesko and the deflection took it over the line.

Fernandes was given the assist on the Premier League’s Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, as he had the final attacking touch before Sesko put the ball in, even though Woodman had attempted to make the save in between.

Therefore, Fernandes will have one more Premier League assist in his FPL tally, but will remain behind Henry and De Bruyne as the Premier League officially does not award assists when there is a touch from a defending player.

Jamie Braidwood4 May 2026 03:00

77′ GOAL! Mainoo sweeps in first-time as Man Utd retake lead [MUN 3-2 LIV]

The next goal felt like it would be decisive and arrived in the 77th minute in front of an elated Stretford End. Liverpool failed to effectively clear a cross and Mainoo ran onto the loose ball on the edge of the box, avoiding sliding Szoboszlai’s challenge to slam into the bottom left-hand corner.

Jamie Braidwood4 May 2026 01:00

56′ GOAL! Gakpo pounces on Lammens mistake to level [MUN 2-2 LIV]

Liverpool showed weakness but were handed a 56th-minute equaliser. Mac Allister read normally dependable Lammens’ woeful pass out from the back, with the midfielder playing for Szoboszlai to play a quick ball for Gakpo to score.

Jamie Braidwood4 May 2026 00:00

48′ GOAL! Szoboszlai gives Liverpool a lifeline after half-time [MUN 2-1 LIV]

Liverpool showed some fight, from Ibrahima Konate knocking Sesko into the advertising hoardings to Gakpo slamming narrowly wide, but Slot’s side still looked disjointed. Skipper Fernandes fired just wide as United pushed for another before a break that limping Sesko did not return from. Amad replaced him and saw a lax pass cut out by Szoboszlai just inside his own half inside two minutes of the restart, with the Liverpool midfielder confidently running at Harry Maguire before cutting away and scoring a low left-footed shot.

Jamie Braidwood3 May 2026 23:00

14′ GOAL! Sesko doubles lead as Woodman punch deflects in [MUN 2-0 LIV]

Michael Carrick’s side kept up the pressure and Freddie Woodman got his fingertips to a 14th minute prod on goal by Benjamin Sesko, but Liverpool’s third-choice goalkeeper could not deny him for long. United kept the move alive and Luke Shaw’s cross was headed back across goal by Bruno Fernandes, with Woodman only able to push into the bundling striker. Sesko wheeled off in celebration and further cheers greeted the award of the goal following a lengthy VAR check into a potential handball by the Slovenia striker.

Jamie Braidwood3 May 2026 22:00

6′ GOAL! Cunha fires Man Utd into early lead against rivals [MUN 1-0 LIV]

Sir Alex Ferguson was unable to watch Sunday’s match having felt unwell before kick-off and being taken to hospital. Manchester United fans chanted his name towards the end of a first half that their side began at breakneck pace. Matheus Cunha, back in the side after a hip complaint, saw an initial effort from a half-cleared corner blocked but managed to get another away, striking into the ground and off Alexis Mac Allister to spark bedlam in the sixth minute.

Jamie Braidwood3 May 2026 21:00

Arne Slot: Liverpool identified Man Utd’s strengths but conceded from them

Arne Slot, speaking to Sky Sports, said Liverpool weren’t able to control Manchester United’s strengths and identified set-pieces and counter-attacks. Liverpool conceded from those situations twice in the first half.

“You have to know where to lose the ball if you play against United. They are really strong when they play into the middle. They have so many fast players, Bruno Fernandes to hurt you in transition and that’s exactly what happened with the second goal. That is what happens. We were 2-0 down, came back in the second-half to 2-2 and then we shut off and immediately conceded the goal.”

(Reuters)

Jamie Braidwood3 May 2026 20:30

Michael Carrick confirms nature of Benjamin Sesko injury

Benjamin Sekso was taken off at half-time after scoring Manchester United’s second goal. He received a shove from Ibrahima Konate that resulted in him crashing into the advertising hoardings.

“He’s been carrying a shin problem for some time, he got pushed and caught the bit that’s been causing him some problems.”

(PA)

Jamie Braidwood3 May 2026 20:00

Michael Carrick hopes Man United win will be ‘a boost’ for Sir Alex Ferguson after former manager taken ill

Michael Carrick has said that he hopes Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Liverpool will be a boost for Sir Alex Ferguson after his predecessor was taken to hospital before the game.

Carrick worked under Ferguson after joining as a player in 2006, and is now impressing on the touchline he once occupied. Victory over Liverpool, secured by Kobbie Mainoo’s late goal, ensures that Manchester United will be back in next season’s Champions League.

And Carrick hoped that it will serve as pleasing news for his old boss. “I haven’t got any updates so I don’t know the latest. I did hear about it before the game so I was aware about that,” he said of Ferguson.

“All I can say is I was very affected by it the news. I hope he is all right. We hope him to be in good shape and we wish him all the best and hopefully the result gives him a good boost.”

Richard Jolly, at Old Trafford3 May 2026 19:50