Certainly a talking point.
After their disappointing defeat to Basel in the Champions League, Manchester United picked up a valuable three points at home to Brighton as they narrowed the gap on Man City at the top of the table.
Ashley Young’s deflected strike off Lewis Dunk proved the difference and after the game, Jose Mourinho said that Brighton were “probably” the toughest opponents his side have faced at home so far this season.
With Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool all dropping points over the weekend, any win would be welcome for United.
It didn’t have to be pretty and that statement is equally applicable to Romelu Lukaku’s actions in the build-up to Dunk’s own-goal.
Prior to the ball hitting the back of the net, you can clearly see Lukaku kicking out at Brighton full-back Gaetan Bong.
In fact, he even takes two swipes at the defender with both feet.
Fan footage from MB from behind the goals during Ashley Young’s winner in the second half showed the Belgian seemingly kicking out more than once after the ball had glanced away from him.
As is the norm, the Match of the Day panel discussed all of Saturday’s goals, incidents, and matches but plenty of people were curious why Lukaku’s clash with Bong wasn’t heavily mentioned in the analysis of United’s winner.
They had no bother in clearing up the fact that it was a Manchester United corner despite all the protestations from Brighton but there wasn’t even so much as a skimming over on that incident where Lukaku looked to kick out twice.
Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Jermaine Jenas talked about the luck that led to United’s goal, they highlighted how brilliantly Ashley Young has been playing and they gave their usual spiel for losing teams who are doing alright in the bigger picture – they gave a great account of themselves, that sort of garbage. Brighton fans and players would’ve preferred if those patronising remarks were saved for some actual analysis.
But the big issue was ignored.
Lewis Dunk is the first player in Premier League history to score an own goal versus both Man Utd and Man City in the same season.
That is some rotten luck.#MOTD pic.twitter.com/LKkmmQyKJj
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) November 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/rigby281077/status/934565010113736704
SHOCK, HORROR. MOTD don’t even mention Lukaku and his sly kick in the balls of the Brighton defender. Retrospective action only happens for some clubs. FA and BBC are in this together. Corrupt bastards
— robbie o (@coyb12) November 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/JamieGilchrist/status/934565740652449793
Interestingly, #MOTD have managed to notice a slight touch off a Brighton player's foot for a corner, but failed to mention Lukaku kicking out at one twice just before the goal goes in.
— Craig (@mrcraigo10) November 25, 2017
