Richard Keys blasts VAR after Edson Alvarez incident in West Ham United v Man United
Richard Keys has blasted VAR after failing to award West Ham United a first-half penalty against Manchester United.
The pundit was amazed that the officials did not hand the visitors a spot-kick in the clash on Sunday (4 January) after Casemiro was spotted holding Edson Alvarez in the area.
The Red Devils won 3-0 in the Premier League clash at Old Trafford, with Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho scoring the goals.
“I can’t post moving pics so this will have to do,” Keys posted on X. “How is this not a pen? Casemiro has got Alvarez round the neck. What is VAR for if not to see things like this? He stops him getting the ball.”
West Ham unlucky?
Keys clearly feels that West Ham were extremely unlucky not to be given a penalty in the first half of the meeting at Old Trafford.
And that is perhaps how Alvarez, his teammates and his manager David Moyes perhaps also felt after a decision did not go their way.
Players certainly take plenty of chances when it comes to holding opponents in the box from set-pieces, but it seems that referees have different viewpoints on the matter, with penalties given on some occasions and no penalties given on others.
An early penalty for the visitors could have resulted in a different outcome at Old Trafford, but the hosts won’t be thinking about the incident one bit.
They weathered a few storms from the Hammers at various stages of the match, but turned on the style when it mattered to clinch an important three points and take over their opponents in the table.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are now owed an apology after an “incomprehensible” transfer development.
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