West Ham United: Journalist lashes out at BBC amid Wolves controversy
Justin Allen has hit out at the BBC after Match of the Day chose to focus on Wolves’ disallowed goal on Saturday (6 April) but ignored a controversial decision from the West Ham loss at Newcastle United.
Kalvin Phillips was penalised for a challenge on Anthony Gordon during the Hammers’ 4-3 capitulation against the Magpies on Saturday 30 March, which was tucked away by Alexander Isak.
Though this was seen as a very controversial moment, Match of the Day chose not to cover it, while Gary Lineker, Dion Dublin and Ian Wright discussed the Wolves drama at length.
Taking to X on Sunday (7 April), Allen wrote: “So BBC Match of the Day didn’t look back at the Kalvin Phillips-Anthony Gordon VAR controversy last weekend. No analysis whatsoever.
“Yet, they were more than happy to pore over the Wolves one yesterday. Does someone in power at BBC Sport hate West Ham or something?”
Do the decisions against West Ham United need more media coverage?
Of course, the decision to award Newcastle a penalty during the 4-3 defeat at St James’ Park was very contentious, with Phillips attempting to clear the ball and Gordon sneaking in front of him.
However, it was probably the right decision, whether it was a tough one to take for the Hammers or not. It would have been difficult for Phillips to take, having continued to struggle since joining on loan from Manchester City.
Allen’s accusation is a very strong one, something that has not gone down so well in the comments, especially after West Ham were on the correct side of the VAR decision in the Wolves clash.
It is easy to understand why Gary O’Neil was so infuriated by the decision, with Max Kilman’s equaliser in the ninth minute of added time ruled out for offside.
The likelihood is that, with seven goals scored in the 4-3 thriller with Newcastle, there was only so much time to cover every controversial moment, whereas Kilman’s offside goal was at the centre of most conversations this weekend.
In other West Ham news, Jason Cundy and Jamie O’Hara argued about the latest controversy live on air.
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