Aston Villa will play Fulham at Wembley
Wolves were the runaway leaders in the Championship this season. Helped by the recruitment of super agent Jorge Mendes, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were a cut above everyone else int he division. Cardiff also secured automatic promotion, pipping Fulham to second place on the final day.
But Fulham will have another chance to return to the top flight in the play-off final, after beating Derby 2-1 over two legs in the play-off semi final. Fulham will take on Aston Villa, who secured their place in the final by holding on for a 0-0 draw tonight against Middlesbrough, winning 1-0 on aggregate thanks to a Mile Jedinak header in the first leg.
But it could have all gone horribly wrong. In the 87th minute, as Middlesbrough were pouring forward in search of an equaliser, Villa goalkeeper Sam Johnstone appeared to step out of his penalty area and make a save with his hands in an illegal position. Adama Traoré’s shot looked to be looping straight in had it not been stopped by Johnstone.
The referee awarded Boro a free kick just outside the box, which Stewart Downing blasted against the bar, but Sam Johnstone only received a yellow card for handling the ball outside his area, much to the bemusement of viewers at home.
How the hell wasn't this a red card for Sam Johnstone? WTF game was Mike Dean seeing?! pic.twitter.com/aFu9GS8LWq
— Mike (@MikeTalksFooty) May 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/TeamFA/status/996488781535629312
Surely has to be red for Johnstone?
— Damian Spellman (@DamianSpellman) May 15, 2018
Why is that not a red card on Johnstone handball isn't dogso? Cause that shot is probably going in #EFLPlayOffs
— David Gass (@empiregass) May 15, 2018
I'm baffled that isn't a red for Johnstone there. That shot is going in, before he handles outside the box. Mike Dean strikes again
— Sam Parker (@SmParker8) May 15, 2018
Now if Villa get through they’ll have Johnstone in the final when it should have been red ffs
— Jack (@BluesJack_) May 15, 2018
Wait what!? Why hasn’t Mike Dean red carded Johnstone? He just stopped a goal by hand balling outside the area.
— Endee Football (@EndeeFootball) May 15, 2018
