Arsenal took home all three points from the London Stadium despite a dramatic finale which saw Callum Wilson’s strike ruled out by VAR
West Ham are set to contact the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials) as they seek clarification on the decision to rule out Callum Wilson’s stoppage-time equaliser against Arsenal.
The striker’s goal – which had huge implications at both ends of the Premier League table – was eventually disallowed by referee Chris Kavanagh following an extensive VAR check as sub Pablo was adjudged to have fouled David Raya.
West Ham are keen to obtain a greater understanding of the conversations that took place between Kavanagh and VAR assistant Darren England. It’s believed they will also request audio.
Howard Webb, chief refereeing officer for the PGMOL, is also poised to unpack the incident on TV programme ‘Match Officials Mic’d Up’ this evening.
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Meanwhile, Hammers goalkeeper Mads Hermansen insists physical contact has got out of hand during dead-ball situations this season.
He admits he was not surprised to see Pablo penalised, though he also notes there were several other offences also taking place in the Arsenal box at the same time.
Hermansen said: “If you ask any goalkeeper in the league, if he’s been illegally blocked, pulled, pushed on corners this season I think you will not find anyone who has not experienced this. So to give this, I’m not sure I understand why.
“Of course, we watched it afterwards and we can see there’s shirt pulls on [Konstantinos] Mavropanos, shirt pulls on [Tomas] Soucek, even shirt pulls on Pablo before the goal. So to pick this situation… You know, I agree it’s a foul. You can give the foul on the goalkeeper, definitely.
“But [with] what has been given during this season of goals with illegal blocks and illegal pulls and pushing and stuff on goalkeepers, I don’t understand why that’s been given. That’s all.
“I spoke with David after the game and I think we have the same experience on this matter during this season.
“Because, of course, he has every right to ask for a free-kick or a foul on him. But I think you can find a lot of situations during this season where it’s been different.”
Hermansen came up to challenge for the ball and jumped with Pablo alongside Raya.
Further replays did in fact show that West Ham centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo was also tugging Raya’s jersey.
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
