Arsenal were 1-0 winners over West Ham United with the Hammers seeing a late goal overturned by VAR
The decision to disallow West Ham’s injury-time equaliser against Arsenal was correct, according to former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann. The Hammers thought that they had drawn level through Callum Wilson, but the goal was ruled out after a lengthy VAR check.
Arsenal were largely frustrated by relegation-threatened West Ham, but found the breakthrough when Leandro Trossard put them ahead with seven minutes of normal time remaining. The drama didn’t end there, though.
Wilson thought he had dealt a hammer blow to Arsenal’s title hopes when he put the ball beyond the goal-line in added time. Referee Chris Kavanagh was sent to the pitchside monitor and ruled out the goal for a foul on David Raya, though.
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When announcing the decision, Kavanagh said: “After review, West Ham number 19 commits a foul on the goalkeeper. Final decision is direct free kick.”
That decision has now been backed by Cann. The former assistant explained why the goal was rightly disallowed.
“It’s a foul by Pablo holding Raya’s arm, clearly impeding him,” Cann told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Also, he is having his shirt pulled by Todibo.
“I know it’s a shame for West Ham given the timing, but it is a foul. That is the bottom line.
“The arm is across Raya from Pablo, but crucially he is holding Raya’s arm. The fact he has an arm on the keepe means he can’t catch it and he is clearly impeded.”
The former official later suggested a rule change to avoid a similar situation in the future. “I think there is too much skirmishing generally at corners anyway,” he said.
“My idea that I have been saying for three years now is that I believe attacking players shouldn’t be allowed in the goal area before the corner is taken, so that would give natural separation between defenders and attackers and it would stop the intermingling before the ball is in play.
“You can’t give a defensive free kick or a penalty if the ball is not in play, so it would stop this constant pushing and grappling at corners if we separate the players.
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“It is a simple law change for attackers to have to start outside the goal area and it would avoid these situations.”
Speaking on Sky Sports commentary during the game, pundit Gary Neville also believed that the final decision was the correct one. “I think it’s a foul,” he said.
“He’s holding Raya. Have VAR got the courage to make the decision? This is massive for refereeing in this country… This is one of those moments where Arsenal might think their name is on the trophy.”
The result leaves Arsenal five points clear of second-placed Man City in the race for the title. Pep Guardiola’s side play their game in hand against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.
