West Ham were furious when Callum Wilson’s 95th-minute equalizer was canceled out by VAR due to Pablo’s foul on David Raya, and Arsenal won 1-0.
VAR deemed Pablo to have fouled David Raya (Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen took aim at VAR after a controversial second-half decision saw Arsenal leave the London Stadium with a narrow victory. Callum Wilson thought he had secured a vital point for the relegation-threatened Hammers in the 95th minute, but VAR intervened.
Referee Chris Kavanagh spotted West Ham striker Pablo fouling Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya from a second-half corner and had the goal ruled out by VAR, which sent it to the pitchside monitor.
The late drama was enough for Arsenal to win, as Leandro Trossard put a deflected shot into the back of the net in the 83rd minute. The Hammers could only regret a big one-on-one chance between Matheus Fernandes and Raya, but what remained fresh in Bowen’s memory after the game was the VAR call.
“Yes, it’s a big deal. There are many ways to answer this question,” he told Sky Sports. “We’re going to feel accomplished because we’re on the receiving end. Football is a sport that brings fun and brings big moments. I thought we had our big moments and got back in the game.”
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read more: VAR dramatically intervenes in Arsenal vs. West Ham match, canceling late goalread more: Leandro Trossard and VAR sink West Ham as Arsenal move closer to title – 6 talking points
“You look at something for five minutes and try to find something. Goalkeepers are protected more than outfield players and there are a lot of holds in the box. Are you going to look at them every time and give a penalty? That’s the right way.”
“You can’t wipe out the goalkeeper, but the keeper has come to get the ball and you have to expect contact. This is the Premier League so contact will happen.”
“Last week against Brentford we didn’t get a penalty because Tomas Soucek got caught at the back post. But like I said, I think if you look at something long enough you can give something.”
“I can assure you that the experts and the people who watch the game know that football is a physical game. If you’re going to do it, let’s do it every week. Where’s the line, where’s the bar?”
Referee Chris Kavanagh ruled out Callum Wilson’s goal (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
West Ham remain 18th in the Premier League table, one point behind Tottenham, who play Leeds on Monday night, and manager Nuno Espirito was similarly frustrated by the VAR decision.
“We’re all upset because of the situation and the way it ended,” he said. “Look, we have the referee, we have VAR, there have been situations in the past that have been judged differently, so let’s not go beyond that.
“Because of the past few seasons, (similar incidents) have been happening. Even the referees don’t know what is a foul and what is not a foul. There are doubts.”
West Ham still have games against Newcastle and Leeds left, and Bowen called on his team-mates to keep fighting.
“Even though we lost the game, we held our ground and were really in the game,” he added. “Regardless of the decision, we lost the game. It’s a point we lost. It’s do or die. We can’t afford to lose, this isn’t the end. We keep going.”
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