Rulebook shows Owen's Man Utd winner well inside allotted time

Playing by the rulebook, Manchester United striker Michael Owen struck his winner against Manchester City well within the allotted time yesterday.

Despite the complaints of City manager Mark Hughes, it can be confirmed that:

*Fourth official Alan Wiley indicates a minimum four minutes added time.

*Under Premier League rules, the referee can play four minutes plus 59 seconds.

*City score an equaliser – the referee, Martin Atkinson, can add 60 seconds for celebration and restart (Hughes admits it took 45 seconds for play to resume).

*United's Anderson is replaced by Michael Carrick – the referee can add 30 seconds for a substitution.

*In these circumstances, Atkinson is entitled to add two minutes, 29 seconds to the original four minutes.

*Substitute Michael Owen scores for United to win the game on 95 minutes, 25 seconds – well within the allotted time.

 
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