Controversial Decisions Hamper West Ham at London Stadium
One day, a weekend in the Premier League will not be surrounded with refereeing controversies. But it is not this weekend. Unfortunately for West Ham.
West Ham looked to have secured themselves the second comeback win in as many weeks. Some hard work from Sofiane Feghouli and a gem of Manuel Lanzini goal had seen the Hammers take the lead. However a Chris Brunt corner was the undoing in the 94th minute.
But the game wasn’t without controversy throughout. The West Brom equaliser was fair, and so we can’t blame that. But the side will feel hard done by for going behind and not equalising earlier.
West Brom’s Opener
Now normally I’d be berating West Ham for conceding so early on, but the defence looked to have it covered. After dealing with a poor Nyom cross Noble played the ball off of Feghouli who was challenged from behind.
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Now as far as the rules state a challenge from behind is not allowed. It caused Feghouli to fall and misplace his pass. The challenge does not get any part of the ball. So it’s a foul, right?
Not according to the referee or his assistant. The ball falls to a West Brom player, who slides it across to Chadli. Now I don’t think Kouyate covers himself in glory here as he gets nutmegged, but the point stands that the situation shouldn’t have arrived.
West Brom are continuously getting away with these challenges in the league because they play that type of football. Every game should be officiated the same whether it be Arsenal v Liverpool or West Brom v Stoke. Every foul called in one should be classed as a foul in the other. But the standard of refereeing in this league just isn’t consistent enough.
Disallowed Goal
Now this is also an interesting debate. Because time and time again we’ve seen these decisions given as a goal, and others disallowed. The rule needs to be set.
The ball was fired in by a Snodgrass freekick, but a West Brom defender dealt with the ball. One of them was also left on the floor, behind keeper Ben Foster. As the ball came out Antonio was left behind both of them, just out of the goal. All other West Ham players are clearly onside.
The ball was hit back in directly to Feghouli, who was onside, who tucked in the finish. However Foster had run into Antonio, who was arguably offide. (Although for them to collide, would they not have to be level).
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The goal was disallowed because of Antonio’s positioning, but this has never been cleared up. The Hammers were stung last season in the FA Cup by a similar decision which saw United equalise at Old Trafford.
Is there any consistency in the officiating anymore?