Alan Shearer, Micah Richards in agreement over contentious West Ham v Man United moment
Alan Shearer and Micah Richards have slammed the decision to award West Ham United a penalty late on against Manchester United on Sunday [27 October].
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast with Gary Lineker [28 October, 18m 05s], the duo criticised the officials for penalising Matthijs de Ligt for an alleged foul on Danny Ings, following a lengthy VAR review.
Shearer in particular called the decision “baffling”, as Jarrod Bowen went on to score the spot-kick to secure the Hammers all three points in a 2-1 victory.
“You can look at it another 80 times and you’re still never going to find anything,” declared Shearer.
“The referee didn’t give a penalty, then he’s been told by VAR to go and have a look at the screen.
“But it’s baffling that two experienced referees can look at that and think it’s a penalty. It was a terrible decision and Man United would’ve looked at that and blamed that.”
Richards added: “I agree with everything [Shearer said]. The only thing I would say is for the referee, when you get sent to the monitor, it does put doubt in your mind.
“There is contact, but there’s not enough for a penalty.”
Swings and roundabouts as West Ham United enjoy fortune
The debate will roll on all week as to whether there was anything in the incident between De Ligt and Ings.
The general consensus is that Julen Lopetegui’s side were hugely fortunate, not just with the penalty call but also with the chances passed up by Manchester United.
There will come good and bad days for the Hammers this season – last weekend at Tottenham was a dismal afternoon across London – but this provided a potential springboard that Lopetegui desperately needed.
Winnable games are coming up against Nottingham Forest [2 November] and Everton [9 November], before the third international break of the campaign.
Mohammed Kudus remains banned for each of those, and it may just be time for Lopetegui to start Crysencio Summerville in the league after his substitute impact over the Red Devils.
In other West Ham news, the club could have an outside chance at pouncing for a previous target.
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