Unseen angle of West Ham VAR controversy changes everything about incident

A new angle of the build-up to West Ham’s disallowed goal against Arsenal has emerged, sparking fury among Hammers fans – and they may have a point.

Arsenal moved a step closer to Premier League glory with a 1–0 win over West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday (May 10), though the match was not without controversy.

The Gunners looked set for a vital victory after Leandro Trossard’s 83rd-minute strike, but the Hammers believed they had equalised in second-half stoppage time when Callum Wilson fired home.

However, despite jubilant scenes inside the stadium, the goal was ruled out for a foul on goalkeeper David Raya following a lengthy VAR review. Referee Chris Kavanagh was sent to the monitor before ultimately awarding the decision in Arsenal’s favour, ensuring they took all three points and extended their lead at the top of the table to five.

Meanwhile, West Ham remain in the relegation zone, one point behind Spurs – who face Leeds on Monday – with two games left to play.

Since the dramatic incident, fans, pundits and both coaches have offered their thoughts, with West Ham boss Nuno Espírito Santo suggesting referees confuse themselves, with the club now set to lodge a formal complaint with the PGMOL.

The Portuguese said: “Look, there is a referee and VAR, and there are circumstances in the past that have been judged differently. Let’s not go further than that.

“Due to recent seasons, it has been happening [similar incidents]. Even the referees don’t know what is a foul and what is not a foul. It creates doubt.

“You look at every corner in the Premier League and something like this is happening, not just today, but on all the pitches.

“I am talking about the lack of consistency. The players are confused and frustrated, and they don’t understand it. It is upsetting. It is up to them to solve it — there is a referee and VAR — but the referees confuse themselves.”

New angle adds to West Ham fury

An alternative angle has since been posted to social media, with West Ham fans pointing out that both Pablo and Konstantinos Mavropanos were being “manhandled” by Arsenal defenders, while Jean-Clair Todibo was being held by Martin Ødegaard.

One fan said: “Rice drags Mavropanos into the goal after trying to bear-hug Summerville.”

Another added: “As a Spurs fan, absolutely right to be livid. Suits me to see it disallowed. As others have said, it’s the lack of consistency. It’s a shocking decision, not because it was or wasn’t a foul, but because it hasn’t been called consistently all year.”

While a third claimed: “As a neutral, there are at least four Arsenal players fouling opponents – three not looking at the ball. They would be free-kicks in open play, so that should be a penalty for West Ham – all happening before the ball gets close to Raya. Time to end this American football. Pens for holding.”

West Ham return to action away at Newcastle on May 17, before Arsenal host Burnley on May 18.