Henry Winter bemused as controversial moment emerges in West Ham United v Chelsea
Henry Winter could not believe the decision not to award Crysencio Summerville a penalty as West Ham lost 3-0 against Chelsea on Saturday (21 September).
Referee Sam Barrott waved away claims after Wesley Fofana pulled the Hammers attacker down in the area, with VAR official Stuart Attwell deciding not to overturn the decision at Stockley Park.
The decision has been greeted with plenty of rage from the London Stadium faithful, with esteemed presenter Jeff Stelling already hitting out at the PGMOL live on air.
Writing via his personal blog on Monday (23 September), Winter said: “When does holding become sustained holding? It’s like when does bread become toast? Is there a specific moment?
“Perhaps Howard Webb will explain on his next ‘Mic’d Up’ show why Wesley Fofana’s clear holding of Crysencio Summerville at the London Stadium was not sustained holding.
“The Chelsea defender pulled the West Ham attacker off-balance, and somehow the officials didn’t award a penalty. It was as bemusing as Spurs keeper Vicario not being penalised for handling outside his area. Maybe it was ‘not sustained handling’.”
West Ham United bemused by Crysencio Summerville incident v Chelsea
Hammers fans have every right to be aggrieved after not being awarded such an obvious penalty decision against the Blues, but it will not take away from the concerns over Julen Lopetegui.
It is impossible to predict what would have happened should the Irons had been awarded the spot-kick at 2-0 down, with Cole Palmer going on to add a third just after the half-time break.
Removing the incident, the Hammers have now been condemned to their third league defeat of the season already, seeing them sit just three points above the dreaded relegation zone.
Pressure is mounting on Lopetegui’s shoulders after just six matches in charge, with some even suggesting David Moyes should be brought back following his London Stadium exit in the summer.
That, of course, would be a hugely backwards decision from the board, though Lopetegui must prove himself to the passionate fanbase before it becomes too late.
In other West Ham news, an Under-21s gem has sent a “wonderful” message to Julen Lopetegui as footage emerges.
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