Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson was left appalled with the decision to overrule Maxwel Cornet’s goal for West Ham United in their 2-1 loss to Chelsea on Saturday.
The Lowdown: Goal disallowed
Kai Havertz seemingly won the game for Thomas Tuchel’s side when he bagged a late goal in the 88th minute, but just moments later, the Ivory Coast international found himself pouncing on a mistake by the Chelsea defence, netting and celebrating having thought he scored the equaliser for his new club.
However, VAR official Jarred Gillett told referee Andy Madley to consult the pitchside monitor due to a possible foul in the Hammers’ build-up to the goal.
Madley then ruled that Jarrod Bowen had fouled Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy just before Cornet put the ball in the net. As a result, the goal was disallowed.
The Latest: Robinson’s comments
Robinson, who works as a pundit for Sky Sports, was left appalled by the referee’s decision to overturn Cornet’s equaliser.
Speaking with Football Insider, the former England goalkeeper claimed: “It was one of the worst VAR decisions that I have ever seen.
“As a goalkeeper, you know what you are doing. You are going into a tackle on the floor to intercept the ball. If Mendy had held onto the ball we would not have seen him move. Bowen barely touched him.
“When players tackle each other, boots collide. That VAR decision was awful. Chelsea got away with one.
“Thomas Tuchel said the referee got it right afterwards. I think he thought he had to say that. I think he feels it is vindicated after the two decisions that went against them when they drew with Tottenham.
“It should not have even been reviewed for me. It was nothing. There was no intent from Bowen. He tried to jump over the keeper and get out of the way.”
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The Verdict: Shocking decision
Robinson is quite right in his scathing assessment of the VAR decision, and it was telling that Moyes and Declan Rice face no punishment for their furious post-match comments.
Had the FA felt that the duo had a case to answer, the chances are that they would have been fined or even received bans. Alas, the lack of any action from the governing body appears to hint that they too agree that the officials’ decision was erroneous.
Nonetheless, the Irons are now set for a busy month ahead, with four matches being played before the international break at the end of September, and must look forward rather than back. They face FCSB in the Europa Conference League on Thursday before a quick three-day turnaround sees them take on Newcastle United in the Premier League.
Therefore, it is imperative that Moyes’ men bounce back from the disappointment of the Chelsea game, with his side already lagging behind in their pursuit of European football as they sit 18th in the top flight.