Fulham 1-1 Arsenal – Visitors denied Bukayo Saka winner by VAR in Premier League draw at Craven Cottage

Bukayo Saka refused to concede late on as Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes suffered a blow in a 1-1 draw with London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The hosts took the lead with their only real attack of the first half when Raul Jimenez lashed home on 11 minutes from Kenny Tete’s pass to take an unlikely half-time lead.

Arsenal were the dominant force for most of the game and equalized through William Saliba’s close-range finish on 52 minutes from a corner, but could not find the winner with Saka seeing his 88th-minute header ruled out by VAR, after the termination of Gabriel Martinelli. he was ruled offside before delivering the cross for the England winger to make.

While it’s hard to begrudge Marco Silva’s strong Fulham side a point for a performance of high team spirit and overall determination, they couldn’t complain if the VAR call on Saka’s late winner went against them.

Indeed, at times you have to question how VAR is being used with Martinelli gaining no useful advantage when he lifted the ball out.

The Brazilian forward effectively cut back towards his own goal before turning to lift a cross for Saka to head onto the blind side of Antonee Robinson with minutes remaining.

Replays have shown the hopelessly fine margins of good luck in football since VAR was introduced to make the final call.

If Arsenal miss out on the title by two points, they may look back on this day with a bit of wonder.

He looked like the only player in the away team who had the pace and creativity to unlock a tenacious Fulham defence. And would have if not for that late VAR call.

Fulham: Leno 7, Tete 7, Diop 7, Bassey 7, Robinson 7, Berge 7, Lukic 6, Adama 6, Smith Rowe 6, Iwobi 6, Jimenez 6 Subs: Pereira 6, Cuenca 6, Wilson 6, Muniz 6

Arsenal: Raya 6, Partey 6, Saliba 7, Kiwior 6, Timber 6, Odegaard 6, Jorginho 6, Rice 8, Saka 8, Havertz 6, Trossard 6 Subs: Merino 6, Nwaneri 6, Martinelli 6, Jesus 6

11′ GOAL! (JIMENEZ) FULHAM 1-0 ARSENAL A goal against during the match as the home side strike with their first real look at the Arsenal goal. Kenny Tete with the supply and Raul Jimenez with a good finish low and powerful into the corner of the net.

37′ LENO TO THE RESCUE FOR FULHAM Bukayo Saka this time manages to get a shot wide from the edge of the box, but Bernd Leno cuts a confident figure for the home side to stop. Nice attitude.

52′ GOAL! FULHAM 1-1 ARSENAL (SALIBA) The away fans love this moment as Rice goes deep to the back post with a corner. Havertz returns with a header across the face of goal and Saliba hits the target. The VAR team controls the replay.

88′ GOAL! FULHAM 1-2 ARSENAL (SAKA) And there is definitely a winner! Saka with the close header in the last two minutes in front of the guests. Martinelli with the cross at the back post. Over Robinson’s head and Saka reaches into the blind to shake his head.

89′ CANCELED THE GOAL! Martinelli ruled that he was offside in the build-up to the goal. This is so tough on Arsenal.