The source of Tottenham Hotspur's third goal in their 4-1 win over West Ham United was the subject of scrutiny, before it was officially declared an own goal by Alphonse Areola.
Hammers goalkeeper Areola was deemed to have had the decisive contact with the ball in the 55th-minute incident, after he had diverted Son Heung-min's low shot against his team-mate Jean-Clair Todibo.
The ball deflected back off the French defender towards goal, and Todibo was initially credited with the own goal.
However, the Premier League's Goal Accreditation Panel ruled that the subsequent touch off Areola was key.
The panel's guidelines say that if the initial strike is on target and the ball is then deflected by an opposing player sending it off target and then deflects off another defending player before entering the goal, then the defending player who touched the ball last is credited with the own goal.
Why was Areola awarded an own goal?
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Son shoots towards goal
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Areola saves the goalbound shot with his right foot
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The ball comes off the retreating Todibo
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The ball clips off Areola before going into the goal
Son shoots towards goal
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Areola saves the goalbound shot with his right foot
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The ball comes off the retreating Todibo
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The ball clips off Areola before going into the goal
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What is the Goal Accreditation Panel?
The Goal Accreditation Panel determines the goalscorers in the Premier League when the identity of the person who scored the goal is open to debate.
The identity of the goalscorer is quickly identified by Opta, the Premier League's official data partners. However, if there is doubt over the identification, it is reviewed by a three-person panel at the Premier League Match Centre.
The panel usually consists of a representative of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) and two football experts.
Although there is no strict timescale on the accreditation of a goal, a conclusion is sought at the earliest possible convenience, with the utmost priority given to ensuring the final decision is correct.
The panel's decision is passed on to the Premier League's Digital team and Opta, who ensure the goalscorer is communicated through their official channels.
A club can appeal against a decision to the Premier League’s Goal Accreditation Appeals Panel, who will review the footage and come to a decision.
