VAR had the biggest moment in Premier League history as Arsenal beat West Ham 1-0 after Callum Wilson’s 95th-minute equalizer was canceled out for a foul on David Raya.
Leandro Trossard’s late winner put the Gunners on course for a vital victory in the Premier League title race, but Wilson sent the London Stadium into a frenzy with time running out when he fired home from a corner kick.
However, VAR spotted West Ham’s Pablo’s arm across Raya’s neck when the Arsenal goalkeeper missed his first shot into the box. Referee Chris Kavanagh was sent to the monitor by VAR Darren England and the goal was disallowed.
There were 2 minutes and 35 seconds from the time the ball crossed the line until Kavanagh was sent to the monitor.
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Callum Wilson looked set to equalize for West Ham in the 95th minute, but VAR intervened.
Referee Kavanaugh then looked at replays of the 17-inning incident and made his decision. A total of 4 minutes and 17 seconds passed from the time the ball crossed the line until the foul was awarded.
“I think it was a foul,” Sky Sports’ Gary Neville said. “He’s holding Raya down. It’s the biggest moment in VAR history in the Premier League.”
Pablo grabs David Raya’s arm before Callum Wilson (not pictured) scores the goal, which is later overruled by VAR
If things had stayed that way, Wilson’s goal would have cut Arsenal’s lead to three points, and Manchester City could have returned to the top of the table with a win against Crystal Palace live on Sky Sports on Wednesday.
But instead, Arsenal’s lead now stands at five points, and with a home visit to relegated Burnley this season and a visit to Crystal Palace remaining on the final day, Arsenal take a big step towards their first Premier League title in 22 years.
West Ham, on the other hand, remain in the relegation zone and could move closer to four points if Tottenham beat Leeds (currently safe alongside Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace) live on Monday Night Football on Sky Sports.
What everyone said about that VAR call
Nuno Espirito Santo: “We have the referee and we have VAR, and there have been situations in the past where we received different calls. Even the referee doesn’t know what is a foul and what is not, which creates doubts.”
Jarrod Bowen: “You can’t wipe out the goalkeeper, but the keeper has come to get the ball so you have to expect contact. This is the Premier League so contact is going to happen. If you look at something long enough, you can give something away.”
Mikel Arteta: “I think the call from the referee is very brave, but it’s very much in line with what they’ve been saying all season. So when I have to be critical, I have been, and today I have to praise them for at least giving the referee an option to make the decision. When you look at this action that way, I think this is a clear mistake.”
Roy Keane: “I think it was a foul. That was really stupid by West Ham. They’re going to check, so don’t make it such an obvious foul.”
Ian Wright: “I’m not a fan of VAR, but in this case it helped. For me, it was easy to give it in such a tense moment.”
Jamie Redknapp: “He’s got his left arm around his neck. That’s a foul.”
Leandro Trossard: “Raya immediately said that this is not a goal. At that moment I believed so much. I believed because he was so convincing, but you never know.”
WATCH: Trossard wins after incredible save from Raya
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Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard scores a huge goal to take the lead against West Ham
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Arsenal keeper David Raya makes a big save to deny Matheus Fernandes the opening goal.
How Arteta’s strange substitutions almost cost Arsenal
It was a tricky afternoon for Arsenal in the 83rd minute – largely due to Mikel Arteta’s own actions. After a dominant start with Trossard hitting the bar twice from the same corner, Riccardo Calafioli came close to scoring, but an injury to Ben White threatened to bring it all down.
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Leandro Trossard’s header was brilliantly saved by Mads Hermansen, Arsenal went agonizingly close from a corner, and West Ham managed to survive a scramble in the box as the rebound hit the crossbar from close range.
Arteta brought on Martin Zvimendi and installed Declan Rice at right-back. However, as West Ham progressed through the game, Arteta reversed that decision at half-time, bringing on Cristian Mosquera and moving Rice back into midfield.
Arteta then made another U-turn midway through the second half to bring Zvimendi down, giving West Ham even more confidence.
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Arsenal keeper David Raya made a huge diving stop to deny Tati Castellanos the opening goal.
Despite Arsenal having more shots on goal, Fernandes scored for West Ham inside the area and a disjointed play almost gave West Ham the lead. Raya made a nice stop at close range, but it wasn’t even his last big action of the match.
Arsenal found a way out with their biggest Premier League goal in 22 years. He combined brilliantly with Martin Odegaard to enter the penalty area and tee up Trossard, who curled up at the near post. Arteta’s run across West Ham’s touchline sent Arsenal’s visitors into chaos.
However, there will be more drama to come. West Ham’s corner kick was deflected away by Raya and Wilson tapped the ball into the goal. The goal was later canceled, but the buzz around this match is far from over.
Arteta: There are still two games left!
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta congratulates match officials after West Ham’s late equalizer was ruled out due to chalk.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta:
“I think today I probably understood how difficult and how big a referee’s job is.
“Because you’re talking about a moment that could decide the history and course of two huge clubs who are fighting to the death to achieve their goals. And the pressure is huge.
“We still have two games left. We came here to win the game today and we have to reward ourselves somehow.
“You have to be able to win in all types of situations. We proved that. All that matters is the now, the present. Today we did it. There are two more to go.”
Nuno: West Ham are all upset
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West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo believes referees do not understand what is and what is not a foul after the decision to disallow a second-half equaliser.
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo told Sky Sports:
“We’re all upset because of the situation and the way it ended. Look, we’ve got the referee, we’ve got VAR, we’ve had situations in the past where it was decided otherwise. Let’s not do it anymore.”
“(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 a lot of doubt.”
“Let’s look at the whole game. We played a very good game. Arsenal are a tough team. We lost the game.”
