Controversial Santa Cruz strike rescues Rovers
Saturday, 29 December 2007
MANCHESTER, Dec 28 (AFP): Sven-Goran Eriksson admitted he has been left bemused by the latest interpretation of the offside rule after Roque Santa Cruz's controversial late equaliser sealed a 2-2 draw for Blackburn at Manchester City Thursday.
Paraguayan striker Santa Cruz claimed his seventh goal in his last four games as Rovers denied City the chance to go fourth in the Premiership, but his 82nd minute header was shrouded in controversy with linesman Darren Cann initially flagging for an offside involving Rovers midfielder David Dunn.
Cann than changed his mind, leaving referee Howard Webb to award the goal for Blackburn, and City manager Eriksson admitted that the uncertainty surrounding whether players are active or inactive was affecting everybody in the game.
He said: "What is the offside rule? I can use the words of the referee after the game -- he said it is a grey area and I agree with him.
"Dunn jumped to try to head the ball from an offside position before Santa Cruz scored from an onside position. For me, Dunn was interfering with play and he affected the goalkeeper's position. I asked the referee to explain, but he said it was a grey area.
Paraguayan striker Santa Cruz claimed his seventh goal in his last four games as Rovers denied City the chance to go fourth in the Premiership, but his 82nd minute header was shrouded in controversy with linesman Darren Cann initially flagging for an offside involving Rovers midfielder David Dunn.
Cann than changed his mind, leaving referee Howard Webb to award the goal for Blackburn, and City manager Eriksson admitted that the uncertainty surrounding whether players are active or inactive was affecting everybody in the game.
He said: "What is the offside rule? I can use the words of the referee after the game -- he said it is a grey area and I agree with him.
"Dunn jumped to try to head the ball from an offside position before Santa Cruz scored from an onside position. For me, Dunn was interfering with play and he affected the goalkeeper's position. I asked the referee to explain, but he said it was a grey area.