David Moyes was left exasperated after two extra tight VAR handball choices went in opposition to West Ham within the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.
The Hammers had been denied a stoppage-time winner when a 5 minute 37 second VAR test – the longest in Premier League historical past – dominated Tomas Soucek had dealt with the ball earlier than it crossed the road.
That they had earlier been denied by one other VAR evaluation which dominated the ball had brushed Michail Antonio’s arm when he bundled it into the web.
We’ve put the ball previous Martínez in stoppage time, however after a prolonged VAR test it’s been disallowed
1-1 (90+12′)
— West Ham United (@WestHam) March 17, 2024
Moyes additionally pointed to extra handball choices not given for his facet, in opposition to Burnley final weekend and Freiburg within the Europa League 10 days in the past.
“I’ve bought nothing to say on VAR, contact Howard (Webb, referees’ chief) your self,” was Moyes’ preliminary terse response.
However he added: “Burnley final week, Freiburg, and now two at this time have gone in opposition to us. It’s laborious to take.
“If VAR thinks it’s proper it should be proper. I feel soccer individuals see issues otherwise. We’ve had two hit individuals’s arms within the final week and never one went for us.”
Antonio headed West Ham right into a deserved lead after half-an-hour, diving in entrance of Ezri Konsa to steer Vladimir Coufal’s cross dwelling.
Mohammed Kudus had the ball within the web shortly after however referee Jarred Gillett had already blown for a foul on Emi Martinez.
Antonio thought he had a second when he struck at a nook, however VAR had different concepts.
Villa, a lot improved within the second half, equalised when Nicolo Zaniolo completed from fellow substitute Moussa Diaby’s cutback.
Then, within the fifth minute of seven added on, Konstantinos Mavropanos, up for a free-kick, scooped the ball in direction of the web.
In a scene harking back to Saturday’s Six Nations, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek had been each on the bottom making an attempt to pressure the ball over the road because the Villa rearguard tried to repel them.
pic.twitter.com/rbYLQKZISl
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) March 17, 2024
After greater than 5 minutes Gillett was beckoned to the pitchside TV display screen and determined the Czech midfielder had used an arm, disallowing the aim to a refrain of boos and incomes an earful from Moyes after the ultimate whistle.
Villa boss Unai Emery stated: “Once they scored the plan modified and within the second half we did higher than within the first half.
“We created – not clear possibilities – however we had been dominating and enjoying properly. We dominated, scored the aim and tried to win the match. It’s a draw however the result’s good for us.
“I’m very completely happy for Nicolo, hopefully we will preserve him on this temper for the remainder of the season.”
