Premier League confirm verdict on Bruno Fernandes assist record after doubts raised

A spokesperson from the Premier League has confirmed that Patrick Dorgu's goal has been checked by the Goal Accreditation Panel and will stand after questions were raised over whether it should have been an own goal.

On Sunday afternoon, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was credited with a record-breaking assist on the final day of the Premier League season against Brighton, after Dorgu headed home from his inswinging corner.

The Premier League presented Fernandes with a Golden Playmaker Award and recognised his achievement as the top assister in a single season with a special graphic on their social media channels.

"It’s great," he said after surpassing Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry with his 21st assist. "I feel very happy for that. Very proud moment, obviously it is not something I would dream or think about until I got this close."

However, after a replay of Dorgu's goal emerged, some questioned whether it should have gone down as an own goal after the header struck the bar before hitting Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and rebounding back into the net.

The incident has sparked plenty of debate amongst fans on social media but on Monday, it was confirmed that Fernandes' assist record will stand and a change will not be made.

A spokesperson for the Premier League, as per Football London, said: “It was determined a [Patrick] Dorgu goal yesterday. Initially by Opta, then no change from the Goal Accreditation Panel."

Thierry Henry reacts to Bruno Fernandes breaking Premier League assist record

Fernandes was congratulated by many after notching his 21st assist of the season, including former record holder Thierry Henry, who notched 20 assists for Arsenal during the 2002-03 campaign.

Henry sent a message to The Diary of a CEO host Steven Bartlett that read: "Please send my regards to him. I love him! Braino Fernandes!"

Kevin De Bruyne believes he holds Premier League assist record

De Bruyne matched Henry's record during the 2019-20 season, but he was far from happy when the Premier League denied his assist following Manchester City's 3-0 win over Arsenal.

His cross for Raheem Sterling was deemed to have taken a slight deflection off the studs of Calum Chambers.

Speaking to City's official channel, De Bruyne said: “In my mind, I’m on 22 [assists]. I’ve been stolen twice by the league – especially away at Arsenal. But, in the end, you get what they say.”

He also brought up the incident in an interview with the Premier League, who included the cross at the very start of a compilation to celebrate 100 Premier League assists.

"They still took one away from me against Arsenal," he said. "They took one away, and when they celebrated my 100th assist, they put it as the first clip in their video. Can you imagine that, how wrong they were?"