Ian Wright has called for a change in the laws of football to stop penalty takers jumping in their run-up like Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes scored the game’s only goal as United beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday night, but his goal was surrounded by controversy.
The United attacking midfielder’s first spot-kick, which was awarded for a handball by Darnell Furlong, was saved by Baggies goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.
However, referee David Coote ordered the penalty to be retaken because Johnstone had moved forward from his goalline as Fernandes approached the ball.
Fernandes dispatched the penalty on the second attempt, which was enough to earn United their first home win in the Premier League this season, but the Portuguese player’s technique has started a debate.
His stuttering run-up and jump before striking the ball makes it harder for the goalkeeper to time their dive and Match of the Day pundit Ian Wright believes a law change is needed to level the playing field.
"It is [difficult for goalkeepers]," Wright said.
"And then you've got forwards jumping up, doing this, doing that sort of stuff and the goalie can't move his foot off.
"They should stop people jumping and that, they should have to make a full... just run at the ball and hit it. If they can move and the goalies can't, that's not fair."
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker pressed Wright on his comment, asking: "Are you going to have a law that says you can't jump?"
Wright responded: "Yeah, you have to go straight through your penalty run-up, no jumping."
The winning goal was not the only controversy Fernandes was involved in at Old Trafford.
Earlier West Brom had been awarded a penalty for a challenge by the former Sporting Lisbon man on Conor Gallagher, only for Coote to overturn his decision after being advised by VAR to check the pitch-side monitor.
The overturning of a penalty, and the subsequent retaking of United’s, left Baggies manager Slaven Bilic unhappy with the officiating at the final whistle.
Defeat left West Brom 18th in the Premier League and without a win this season, while United moved up to ninth, with 13 points from eight games.
