Bruno Fernandes broke Frank Lampard's record in controversial fashion against Liverpool
Football
By
Mirror
| May 18, 2021
Bruno Fernandes set a new Premier League record on Thursday night during Manchester United’s defeat to Liverpool, eclipsing Frank Lampard’s record which has stood for more than 10 years.
United were well off the pace as Jurgen Klopp’s top four chasing Reds turned in a performance of the highest order to win 4-2 at Old Trafford.
However, it was the hosts that drew blood first, through none other than that man Fernandes.
But the Portuguese’s name was on the scoresheet in controversial style, as his shot cannoned into the back of the net off of Nat Phillips.
Initially, it looked more like an own goal, with the ball taking a huge deflection off the Liverpool defender to find the target.
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But replays showed that it may have been going in anyway, awarding the goal to Fernandes.
The strike took his his tally for the season to 28, besting Frank Lampard’s 27 in the 2009-10 season for Chelsea as he led the Blues to a Premier League and FA Cup double.
Interestingly, Fernandes has also scored one less penalty than Lampard did that campaign, with nine, perhaps showing there are more strings to his bow than many believe.
In total, Fernandes has been directly involved in 44 goals in his first 50 Premier League appearances for United, with 26 goals and 18 assists.
That is a record only Eric Cantona and Robin van Persie have beaten with 46 and 45 respectively.
Following Fernandes’ opener, Liverpool equalised in the 34th minute thanks to Diogo Jota’s smart finish, before Roberto Fimino fended off Paul Pogba to head home a free-kick on the stroke of half-time.
The Brazilian extended his side’s lead just after the break, pouncing on a rebound from Dean Henderson.
Marcus Rashford reduced the deficit back to just one with a left-footed finish, but Mohamed Salah’s counter-attack and placed shot rounded things up just minutes before the final whistle.
Keane said on Sky Sports: "Maybe the referee was confused.