Ian Wright slams Michael Oliver in West Ham Premier League clash v Arsenal
Ian Wright has slammed Michael Oliver for handing Arsenal a penalty against West Ham which was eventually chalked off as the Gunners won 3-1.
The ball appeared to have come off Craig Dawson’s hands, but he actually headed the ball to safety and the penalty was overruled.
The Hammers were holding a slender 1-0 advantage going into the break and managed to go into the tunnel with a rare lead at the Emirates Stadium.
Wright said at half-time on Premier League Productions [26/12, 21:00], “It clearly looks like it’s come off his head. He doesn’t need that. He should call it without VAR.”
Good use of VAR
Wright shouldn’t be so critical of Oliver as he’s one of the best referees in the Premier League and everyone makes mistakes.
Initially, it did look like the ball came off his hands, but once it was rechecked, Oliver decided to change his decision.
These are precisely the calls why VAR has been brought into place as this was clearly a howler and it could’ve been a completely different story with it being 1-1 at half time.
The decision didn’t even take that much time and we’re actually surprised why the VAR told the referee to go and check it on the screen.
It looked pretty clear that there was no use of the arm, but regardless, it did not affect the outcome and the right call was made in favour of West Ham.
David Moyes will surely have been impressed by the defensive resolve that his side showed in the first half against Arsenal.