Mike Southey

Mon 22 March 2021 11:56, UK

We’re delighted to welcome former Premier League referee Keith Hackett as our exclusive West Ham columnist, each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…

Keith Hackett has praised referee Jon Moss for allowing West Ham to take a quick free-kick for their second goal in the 3-3 draw against Arsenal on Sunday.

Jesse Lingard played through Jarrod Bowen after Michail Antonio was brought down outside the box, and he smashed the ball home past a sleeping Bernd Leno and defence.

There were numerous complaints about the set-piece, but Hackett believes that there was nothing wrong with the Hammers doubling their lead.

Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, Hackett said, “What we saw in this particular game was the highs and lows of Jon Moss.

“He correctly awarded the free-kick and didn’t interfere so the players at that point before he arrives at the ball to pace out the wall, he’s allowed to take the quick free-kick.

“I think he was alert to that, didn’t interfere. Obviously, there were some comments on whether the ball was in the right place, but you’re not going to be so pedantic about that.

“Within reason, the ball was positioned okay, Lingard was sharp enough to pass the ball – he took the free-kick, the ball was stationary and a goal resulted.

“That was a good piece of play from a football perspective and a refereeing perspective.”

There was nothing wrong with this one.

In a game that was non-stop action and end-to-end, it needed officials that weren’t going to slow it down. Moss, for the most part, played the perfect game.

If the ball is stationary and in the area where the foul was committed, it is down to the opposition to be organised, and Arsenal only have themselves to blame here.

Lingard and Bowen were ahead of the rest and they got the goal that their superb passage of play deserved in the crazy draw.

In other West Ham news, our Hammers player ratings from 3-3 draw against Arsenal