PETER SCHMEICHEL has blasted the chalking off of West Ham’s equaliser against Arsenal.
Callum Wilson thought he’d levelled the scores at 1-1 and rescued an invaluable point for the Hammers with a scrappy 95th-minute finish.
Callum Wilson’s stoppage-time equaliser went to a VAR check due to an incident between David Raya and Pablo Credit: SKY SPORTS
Replays showed that Pablo restricted David Raya from getting the ball Credit: SKY SPORTS
But the goal was immediately referred to the for an apparent foul from Pablo on .
Replays showed that Pablo’s left arm obstructed the Gunners’ stopper, who was also having his shirt pulled by Jean-Clair Tobido.
Referee Chris Kavanagh after viewing the incident multiple times.
The decision has been widely viewed as the correct one.
Chris Kavanagh chalked off the goal after reviewing incident on the VAR monitor Credit: ALAMY
Peter Schmeichel reckons Kavanagh made the wrong call ruling out the goal Credit: VIAPLAY
Although former Manchester United stopper thinks otherwise.
Speaking during Viaplay’s post-match coverage, the Dane said: “What really makes me angry is that would never be top of the league if that’s a free-kick.
“That’s how they’ve scored so many goals, by blocking people, holding people, doing all kinds of things.
“And then we get to this point, it takes VAR five minutes, Darren England the VAR, it takes five minutes.
'We've got to stop this' - Mark Halsey
FORMER Premier League referee and SunSport columnist Mark Halsey had his say on the VAR drama at the end of Arsenal’s win over West Ham.
Callum Wilson’s 95th-minute equaliser was ruled out after a lengthy VAR check – two minutes and 35 seconds – because of a foul by Pablo on David Raya.
Chris Kavanagh made the call which could have major ramifications at both ends of the table.
Halsey said: “Well, what an ending we witnessed at the London Stadium. London derby, West Ham fighting for their lives, Arsenal trying to secure the Premier League for the first time in many, many years.
“We’ve had a massive problem this season – and inconsistencies – from the officials when we’re seeing holding and grappling offences in the penalty area.
“Something has to happen, we’ve got to stop this.
“We all know in those situations when a goal is scored that it will be checked as per the protocol.
“Now in this instance, West Ham have thrown the kitchen sink, they’re trying to get an equaliser, and when that ball comes across from the corner, everything’s going on in that penalty area. There’s about ten, 11, 12 fouls.
“But you look at it and you penalise the ones that stick out. When you look at it, you can clearly see that Pablo has impeded David Raya. You can clearly see that.
“Not only that, you can see that Jean-Clair Todibo has got hold of Raya’s shirt so he’s pulling it down.
“It’s very difficult for Chris Kavanagh in real time to see that, but that’s what VAR’s there for.
“There was massive, massive pressure on Chris Kavanagh once he’s been called over to the monitor, recommended a review by Darren England.
“In my opinion, they came to the correct decision. There were two fouls in there.
“The pressure on Darren and the pressure on Chris was there for everybody to see.
“It was a massive, massive decision to make with what was at stake.
“So in my opinion, they’ve come to the right decision.
“But for me, the PGMOL and their officials, we’ve got to clamp down harder on all this grappling.”
“He starts it over again and starts it over again and again… that in itself puts so much doubt into that decision that it cannot be a free-kick.
“I think it’s so wrong. I just don’t understand why all of a sudden that’s a free-kick, because it’s not been for any teams all the way throughout the season.
“All this, it’s just crazy. And that decision today, it’s just so wrong on so many levels.”
Gunners boss was confident the goal would be ruled out before the officials chalked it off.
And he was quick to praise them for having the “courage” to make such a crucial call in both the relegation and title races.
He said: “Today I have to congratulate them [the officials].
“You need a lot of courage and bravery to stand out and give the opportunity to the referee to have a look at the action.
“When you see the picture, there is no question that it is a clear foul. They were very brave.
“The action deserved that. In my opinion, it is very clear. They are the rules and we ask for consistency.”
The has moved them five points clear of second-placed Manchester City.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
