Mark Clattenburg: Craig Dawson goal for West Ham United v Leicester was fair
Mark Clattenburg has insisted that Craig Dawson’s dramatic last-gasp equaliser for West Ham United aganist Leicester was fair.
The Irons drew 2-2 at the King Power Stadium, but there was controversy as the ball appeared to strike the arm of the defender as he went to head home.
Clattenburg admitted that it did, but new law since last season means anything above the sleeve-line does not constitute handball.
Writing in his latest column for the Daily Mail, Clattenburg reacted to the complaints coming from the home fans.
“Sorry Leicester, but West Ham’s stoppage-time equaliser was a fair goal,” he wrote.
“The corner came in and hit the top of Craig Dawson’s arm, by his shoulder. The law since the start of last season has said that this area does not constitute handball like it used to.”
Never in doubt.
We have seen some ridiculous penalties in recent years, given for minimal contact on the arm, which eventually led to this rule change.
Fans were delighted when it happened, but when it goes against your side, you quickly change your mind to hate it.
That is what Leicester fans will have been thinking, but they can have no complaints about this one being given.
Dawson towered above his man and managed to get the ball over the line, maybe, they should be more concerned about the defending on show.
That will hopefully turn out to be a massive point in the end, with the likes of Spurs losing, but it must be turned into a big win against Newcastle next up.
Dawson stepped up when he was needed, and it is nice to see one of our other defenders making the headlines this morning.
In other West Ham United news, David Sullivan is set to earn the Irons “tens of millions” in new 2022 windfall