I disagree, unless the player suddenly changed direction to block or intentionally did so as would be the case with obstruction, he isn't automatically penalised.
Welbeck was in a position where he has tried to challenge for the ball, ultimately realised the keeper has come to claim it and ducked out of the way.
De Gea comes for it, climbs over the top of him and as he hit the floor he dropped the ball. If the keeper comes over what could be bodies in the way its his responsibility to clear them as in a corner situation, as long as it's not an intentional blocking.
The only grounds under
the laws of the game for which Welbeck could be penalised are if you argue that he did any of the following:
- That he jumped directly at De Gea in a manner which was “careless, reckless (demands a yellow card) or using excessive force (red card)”. Given Welbeck wasn’t carded, it must be interpreted as careless – “Careless is when a player shows a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or acts without precaution.”
- That it was an intentional challenge on De Gea, as “a goalkeeper cannot be challenged by an opponent when in control of the ball with the hands.”
It was clearly neither
