Manager Gary Neville called the decision to disallow West Ham’s 95th-minute equalizer in their 1-0 loss to Premier League favorites Arsenal as “the biggest moment in VAR history”.
Callum Wilson hit a last-gasp equalizer with Arsenal leading 1-0, but despite Declan Rice’s best efforts to prevent it, the ball clearly split over the line. Referee Chris Kavanagh announced the goal on the field.
However, the strike did not survive the lengthy VAR process. Kavanagh was sent to a pitchside monitor to review the incident by VAR official Darren England, who, after 17 replays and a total of four minutes and 17 seconds worth of interruptions, ultimately ruled there had been a foul by Pablo on David Raya.
Pablo grabs David Raya’s arm before Callum Wilson (not pictured) scores the goal, which is later overruled by VAR
“This is an earthquake, a momentary tremor,” Neville said in commentary at the London Stadium.
“Arsenal Football Club’s first title in 22 years could be on the line. This is one of those moments when Arsenal might think they have their name on the trophy…
“The referee for the FA Cup is VAR, Darren England. I don’t think there will be a more pressured moment than at Wembley.”
The denial of goals has a huge impact on both ends of the Premier League. Arsenal’s fate remains in their hands, with them just two wins away from winning the title.
But perhaps just as important is West Ham’s woes at the bottom of the table.
Nottingham Forest and Leeds are safe after their 18th defeat of the season. That means Tottenham’s only hope of avoiding relegation rests on them staying in the relegation zone.
Spurs, who are one point ahead of West Ham, will face Leeds on Monday Night Football.
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Highlights of the Premier League match between West Ham and Arsenal
Manager Roy Keane added in his post-match comments: “One of the things I say when you go up is don’t put your hands on the goalkeeper because VAR will check everything! Never leave your hands on the goalkeeper for three or four seconds.”
“There’s a lot going on, but I think this was a foul because the goalkeeper played a very important role. It was really stupid for West Ham. They’re going to check, so I hope they don’t make this such an obvious foul.”
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Arsenal keeper David Raya makes a big save to deny Matheus Fernandes the opening goal.
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Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard scores a huge goal to take the lead against West Ham
Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp agreed with the decision, saying: “It was a courageous VAR call, but the right one.”
Former Arsenal and West Ham striker Ian Wright said it was “absolutely” the right decision.
“I think David Raya simply understands that if he’s not thwarted,” Wright said. “I pull him over there, and you can see his arms go to his sides.”
Neville: The drama of all dramas
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Gary Neville has reacted to the dramatic VAR decision that prevented a late equalizer between West Ham and Arsenal, saying it could be the biggest VAR moment in Premier League history.
Neville detailed the dramatic stoppage-time scenes in east London and said he was impressed by England’s calmness in dealing with the high-pressure scenario.
“There’s a lot of attention on Darren England,” Nev said on Gary Neville’s podcast. “At first I didn’t know. Was it over the line? That’s what I thought, but it looked like it was over the line and as it turned out Declan Rice was quite far behind the line.
“But then there was a VAR check for an obvious foul on the goalkeeper and I think that was the biggest moment in VAR history in the Premier League.”
“There are a lot of people who aren’t fans of VAR, and that’s understandable, but with VAR Arsenal could have been champions and decisions that would have been incorrect could have been correct.
“I was wondering if Darren England had the courage to turn it over, if he had the guts to turn it over and what he was going to do in this moment. I have to say we had the luxury and we had the home fans and the stadium. I wish all the Am fans had the luxury of hearing that, because to be fair, he walked through it, he walked through it, he talked to the referee, he talked to his colleague who was sitting next to him, he went through it perfectly.”
“He was checking everything around him. There was a little foul by Rice in the back, I think it was after the foul on Raya, but the fact that Pablo just had his arm there and wasn’t looking at the ball. He wasn’t trying to play the ball, he was just thinking about interfering with the goalie.”
“I think if it was a match where it was just going up as a move, he probably could have gotten away with it, but that long sustained arm across Raya had to be called after that.
“Darren England made the right decision and Arsenal breathed the biggest sigh of relief. Perhaps the fans have been breathing for a long time.”
Nuno: The referee doesn’t know what a foul is
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West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo believes referees do not understand what is and is not a foul.
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo told Sky Sports.
“We are all upset because of the situation and the way it ended.
“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.
“(Similar incidents) have been happening over the past few seasons. Even the referees don’t know what is a foul and what is not a foul, so there is some doubt.”
“Let’s look at the whole game. We played a very good game. Arsenal are a tough team. We lost the game.”
Bowen: Raya must expect contact.
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West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen was unhappy with the decision to disallow Callum Wilson’s late equalizer against Arsenal.
West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen also spoke out about the incident after the match, claiming that goalkeepers received special protection from officials and that Raya should have expected contact from players aiming for the ball.
“Goalkeepers are protected more than outfield players and there’s a lot of holding in the box. Are you going to look at that 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.”
“I think if you look at something long enough, it can give you 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?”
Arteta: Congratulations to the referees, it took courage
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta congratulates match officials after West Ham goal canceled due to chalk
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports.
“I will always remember this day, it was a rollercoaster of emotions.
“We knew it was going to be a tough day, they were fighting for their lives and we were trying to win the Premier League.
“When I have had to be critical, I have been. Today I have to congratulate them (the referees). It takes a lot of courage and bravery to stand out and give the referee a chance to see the move.”
“If you look at the pictures, there’s no doubt that it was a clear foul. They were very brave.”
