Richard Keys makes West Ham United point after Manchester City controversy v Wolves
Richard Keys has made a new West Ham United point after a controversial incident in Manchester City’s win over Wolves.
Pep Guardiola’s side extended their unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a 2-1 win over Gary O’Neil’s side at Molineux on Sunday (20 October) thanks to John Stones’ last-minute header.
O’Neil suggested Stones’ winner should have been ruled out as Bernardo Silva was offside in the build-up, calling back to a goal Wolves had disallowed against West Ham last term and Keys was quick to side with the 41-year-old.
Writing in his blog on Monday (21 October) he said: “I’ve got sympathy with Gary O’Neil’s view that there is unconscious bias when contentious calls are made.
“We’re always told ‘refs are human’. So it follows, doesn’t it? They’re bound to be intimidated by big names.
“Two other things from that game. There’s a glaring foul as Wolves build towards City’s goal in the 93rd minute. Nunes fouls Guedes – tackles him from behind – catches him and brings him down.
“If Wolves get that free-kick, they keep the ball and get a point. Chris Kavanagh waves play on. It was a shocking decision.
“O’Neil pointed out post-match that Wolves had a goal ruled out in a game v West Ham last season that was very like Stones’. He right. They did. Where is the consistency?”
“There isn’t any – and it drives us all mad. For Webb to claim that VAR has made only two wrong calls this season is laughable. The guy should be sacked if he really thinks that.”
What happened in Manchester City’s win v Wolves at Molineux?
While West Ham fans have their own issues to focus on after their disappointing defeat to Tottenham on Saturday (19 October), Keys and O’Neil’s point does bring up an interesting argument.
Yes, the rules and regulations do change ever so slightly each and every season in the Premier League, but there has been a complete lack of consistency in the decision-making over the last few years which is simply unacceptable.
Fans, managers and players alike have no idea when a goal will stand or when it won’t. Although it is fair to suggest Stones’ winner at Molineux was rightly allowed, there is no way Wolves’ goal last term should have been ruled out if the rules were the same.
Ultimately, the Hammers will have very few complaints as VAR came to their aid last season. They may need that to happen a few times again this term to turn things around after a miserable start under Julen Lopetegui.
In other West Ham news, one pundit has suggested Lopetegui is “done” at the London Stadium after recent developments
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