Jeff Stelling perplexed by Match of the Day coverage of West Ham vs Arsenal – ‘For goodness sake’
Jeff Stelling hasn’t held back in his frustration after the West Ham United controversy against Arsenal on Sunday.
It has been anyone can talk about in the aftermath of the London Stadium clash after Callum Wilson’s late equaliser was chalked off.
The Englishman thought he’d snatched a point for the Hammers, but it wasn’t to be as VAR ordered referee Chris Kavanagh to review the decision.
After a trip to the pitchside monitor, the match official ruled the goal out for a foul by Pablo on Gunners keeper David Raya.
That handed Arsenal a 1-0 win over West Ham and has prompted plenty of conversation, but Stelling isn’t having it all.
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What did Darren Cann say on Match of the Day?
Nuno Espirito Santo thought his side had done it, sealing a massive point in the race to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Despite having less of the ball and chances on the day, their late goal was all that mattered to draw with the title challengers.
| Stat | West Ham | Arsenal |
| Possession (%) | 36 | 64 |
| Expected goals | 1.15 | 1.18 |
| Shots | 9 | 15 |
| Big chances | 2 | 3 |
| Accurate passes | 187 | 416 |
It wasn’t to be, as Pablo was deemed to have fouled Raya, holding his arm across the keeper and impeding his ability to get to the ball.
That was a massively controversial decision for VAR and Kavanagh to make, and resulted in Match of the Day calling on former Premier League official Darren Cann.
He looked to why certain potential fouls were ignored, but one was eventually awarded against Pablo in the midst of a melee inside the penalty area.
The ex-linesman said: “A bit like a penalty taker feigning when he takes the penalty kick, if there’s encroachment at the same time, then the encroachment is ignored because the more serious offence is the person feigning as they go to take the penalty kick.
“In this instance, we have the dropping zone with the goalkeeper; that’s where the material impact takes place, that’s where the foul is. Yes, there are other incidents as well, but the main situation, the foul on the goalkeeper, was picked up.”
Cann may agree with the call against Pablo and West Ham, but it’s safe to say that Stelling doesn’t echo that.
Jeff Stelling rages at Darren Cann after West Ham vs Arsenal controversy
The former assistant referee has given his verdict on the decision and clearly agrees with what went on at the London Stadium.
It certainly isn’t the common opinion among the wider footballing world, with even Shay Given left frustrated by the call.
The words of Cann haven’t helped anyone get over the eventual decision, with Stelling calling out the ex-Premier League official live on talkSPORT.
He said: “I saw Darren Cann on Match of the Day last night. I like him, but he was never a referee, he was an assistant referee. Talking about which was the most significant foul, who’s to say which was the most significant foul? For goodness sake.”
It’s a scathing review from the broadcaster who has simply had enough of what he’s seen from VAR and refereeing decisions this season.