Referee John Brooks found himself in the crosshairs of Fulham manager Marco Silva after his team lost 3-2 to Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.
Marco Silva was furious at officials after the defeat at Old Trafford (Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Fulham manager Marco Silva was furious with those involved after his side suffered a dramatic late defeat to Manchester United. Benjamin Sesco scored United’s winner in stoppage time after Fulham fought back from 2-0 down in an emotional final game at Old Trafford.
Goals from Casemiro and Matheus Cunha gave United a 2-0 lead on Sunday afternoon, but Silva’s side then hit back. Raul Jimenez scored from the penalty spot following a foul by Harry Maguire, and Kevin equalized in the 91st minute with a fine goal into the top corner.
However, United rushed to the opposite flank and Bruno Fernandes out-scored Sesco in the box and scored. His goal allowed United to continue their 100 per cent record under manager Michael Carrick, but Silva was furious.
United’s first goal came from a free-kick awarded after consultation with VAR. Referee John Brooks had originally awarded United a penalty for Jorge Cuenca’s challenge on Cunha in the box.
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However, VAR replays revealed that Cuenca had possession of the ball. However, Cuenca pulled Cunha’s shirt and Brooks changed the decision to a free kick outside the box rather than overturning the penalty. Fernandes curled in a cross and Casemiro took the lead with a powerful header past Bernd Leno, before Silva received a yellow card for protesting.
Silva fumed on Sky Sports: “The story of this match started with a horrible decision by John Brooks, the penalty he gave away.” “It was a terrible decision from that moment on. It was a big, big mistake. It was the first time I was meeting all the Premier League fans and all of us coaches and players. We have to take all this frustration on board to win the next league.”
He added: “We were given a penalty for the tackle. Then they found another foul because the call was so bad.”
John Brooks changed the decision from a penalty to a free kick after a VAR review, which bothered Marco Silva (Image: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
“I feel how the players feel, I feel how the fans feel, but we have to respect those in charge. We know why the penalty was given. VAR went in a completely different direction to find the free-kick, which is not why the penalty was given.”
Asked if he had spoken to Brooks, Silva replied: “I don’t want to get any more cards because I want to be on the touchline. I don’t want to talk to him any more.”
VAR was further involved in this match, with Stockley Park officials intervening to rule out a second-half Cuenca goal that would have made it 2-1. The Fulham defender scored after two shots were deflected, but Samuel Chukwueze was found to be marginally offside.
However, there was also a decision in Fulham’s favor, with Jimenez awarded a penalty after being brought down by Maguire as he tried to block a shot. A calm shot from the spot pulled the visitors back into the game, but ultimately it was of little use.
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