There was late drama at the London Stadium yesterday as Jonny Evans’ stoppage-time header earned West Bromwich Albion a point at West Ham. Well, at least that’s what most people thought happened.
Hammers manager Slaven Bilić was furious, seemingly thinking the home side should have been awarded a throw-in during the build-up to the equaliser, but the real controversy came later.
Evans’ goal was not Evans’ goal, as it turned out – instead, it was ruled that the Northern Ireland defender’s header had taken a touch off compatriot Gareth McAuley before crossing the line.
The equaliser came deep into stoppage time (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
The Premier League awarded the goal to McAuley, so the official fantasy league felt it had no choice but to do the same.
The @PremierLeague Match Centre has confirmed West Brom's 2nd goal is awarded to Gareth McAuley. The assist therefore goes to Evans #WHUWBA
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) February 11, 2017
This was bad news for a few fans – most notably (a) those who didn’t have McAuley in their team while their rivals did, (b) those who had Evans, whose goal was downgraded to an assist and (c) those who had Chris Brunt, who now gets no assist points.
And there’s nothing like doubt over the identity of a goalscorer to get fantasy football managers really riled up.
Absolute horseshit and you all know it. There's other fantasy games out there you know? All the big calls wrong.
— GadFly* 🔻 (@FPL_Fly) February 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/Benedict2807/status/830477015237091329
Disgraceful.
— The Target (@FPL_target) February 11, 2017
I've watched the replay multiple times and honestly cannot figure out how McAuley is being awarded this goal.
— Matt Splittgerber (@NSNO_IA) February 11, 2017
Heartbroken..Chris Brunt robbed daylight
— KuffourK4 (@KuffourK4) February 11, 2017
And, as if you needed telling, it didn’t take long for conspiracy theories to begin popping up.
https://twitter.com/BlockNinety8/status/830478844138233856
You own McAuley just say it..
— Dean Winchester (@DeanUtd) February 11, 2017
Still, at least a few were able to laugh about it.
https://twitter.com/You_Da_Mane/status/830481579688464384
https://twitter.com/Marcinskk/status/830485466059243520
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