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West Ham ‘incensed’ after having injury-time goal ruled out as Arsenal go five points clear

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West Ham ‘incensed’ after having injury-time goal ruled out as Arsenal go five points clear

West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen said to BBC Sport: “A real blow. We thought we’d done so well to get back in it and had it taken away from us.

“When you look at the screen for five minutes you’ll find something – a lot of grappling and a lot of holding. I’m sure if you look long enough you’ll find something. Do I think it’s the right decision? No.

“Frustration. Where’s the consistency? As a fan you don’t want to celebrate a goal and then wait eight minutes and it’s taken off you.

“Corners are physical. The Premier League is physical. That’s why everyone loves it. You have to expect contact at corners. If you give that you have to give all the holding calls in the world and that’s not the way people want the game to go down.

“I don’t want to sound bitter but last week we had one with Tomas Socuek held at Brentford and we didn’t get a penalty. But then you can’t give one like that today.”

On staying up: “It’s going to be tough. We never say never at this club. We have two games left. We did a lot of good things today. We have to win.”

 Bowen to Sky Sports on the disallowed goal:

“Yes, a lot of ways I could answer this question. We’re on the receiving end of it so were going to feel more hard done by. Football is a sport that brings enjoyment, brings fans together and gives big moments. We had our big moment then, we thought we’d got back into the game, [but you] look at something for five minutes, [you’re] trying to find something. Goalkeepers are protected more than outfield players – there’s lots of holding and grappling that goes on in the box. Are you going to look at those every time and give a penalty? Because that’s the only way that is the right way to do it. I get that you can’t wipe a goalkeeper out and there’s arms there but the keeper’s come out to try and grab the ball so he’s got to be seen – not as an outfield player – but he’s got to expect some contact. It’s a corner kick, it’s physical, it’s the Premier League – there’s going to be contact and tussles.

“We feel more hard done by but we had one at Brentford last week where [Tomas] Soucek got dragged down and we didn’t get a penalty. I’m saying at the consistency level – VAR is here to stay we know that – but I just think the decisions…People are going to say I sound bitter but I’m just being honest. If you look at some of the decisions for long enough you’ll find something to give and that’s what happened in the end.

“I can guarantee people, pundits, everyone that watches the game knows that this is a physical game and there’s holding every time. No one wants to see penalties given every single week or fouls against every single week. You want the game to be going on – that’s why everyone loves football for the fast-action fast-pace game. Goalkeepers do get a bit of different treatment but in the same breath there has to be some understanding that it was a corner – these days people like to put the corner on top of the goalkeeper and create that confusion and bite in the six-yard box. I’m not coming to sound bitter and blame different things – I’m just being honest.”

On if it was ironic that this incident was against Arsenal who play those types of corners? “They are the best example of being so good from set pieces – they’re physical and want to put the ball on top of the goalkeeper. I’m sure we could go back through every single game and see goalkeepers getting fouled and not getting decisions. If you’re going to give it, give it for every single thing every week.”

Is it a foul? “I think he has his arm on him I’m not going to come and be naive and stupid I do think he’s got his arm on him. But if the goalkeeper is coming to try and catch the cross we’re trying to affect that, we don’t want that. He’s coming out of his six-yard box he has to expect some contact because that’s the whole point. Where is the line? Where is the bar?

“We’ve lost the game. In a game where we had to be good in our shape, defend well, they get the goal but we kept in the game and had some other good big chances. Regardless of the decision, we have still lost the game and dropped a point. Two games left, it’s do or die. We showed good attitude today, went toe to toe with the Premier League leaders so we can’t feel defeated. We have to keep going and that’s all we can do.”

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo speaking to Sky Sports: 

“Due to the circumstances and the way it finished, we are all upset.

“Look, there is a referee and VAR, there is circumstances in the past that have been judged different. Let’s not go further than that.

“Due to the recent seasons, it has been happening [similar incidents]. Even the referees don’t know what is a foul and what is not a foul, It creates doubt.

“Let’s look at the game overall. We made a very good match. Arsenal is a tough team. We lost the game.”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta speaking to Sky Sports: 

“I am going to certainly remember this day. It was a rollercoaster of emotions.

“We knew it was going to be tough day; they are fighting for their lives and we are trying to win the Premier League.

“So much at stake. We started the game so well and had three big chances.

“Then the injury of Ben [White], we had to make a change and adapt, we had to make difficult decisions. We threw everything we had to try and win it.

“We were rewarded for that courage. Then there are two actions, one with David [Raya].

“He makes an incredible save and then the controversy around the disallowed goal, which is obviously a big decision.

“When I had to be critical, I have been. Today I have to congratulate them [referees]. You ened a lot of courage and bravery to stand out and give the opportunity to the referee to have a look at the action.

“When you see the picture, there is no question that it is a clear foul. They were very brave.

“The action deserved that. In my opinion, it is very clear. They are the rules and we ask for consistency.”

“There are still two games to play. We came to win the game today; somehow, you have to get rewarded.

“You have to have the ability to win in all types of contexts. We have shown that. The only thing that matters is now, the present. Today, we have done it. There are two more to go.”

Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard, per Sky Sports:

“That was one of the toughest games in general.

“When we scored there was a lot of joy, but then we had to dig in at the end and not concede.

“Then with the goal, I was just happy we won.

On the disallowed goal, he added:

“Raya said straight away it can’t be a goal.

“At that moment, I had a lot of faith. I believed because he was pretty convincing, but you never know.

“You are thinking it is not going our way, but luckily it was a foul and we won the game.

“It was relief as there wasn’t long to go, but we still had to dig in for a couple of minutes. We are just really happy with this win.”

On his goal:

“It was pure joy because we knew what we had to do today.

“We created some chances in the first half but it was tough because we know what they are fighting for as well.

“It’s a tough ground to come to so the goal got us in front, but we knew we had to keep the clean sheet.

“It was a great time to score and we got the win. Two games to go and hopefully something nice is waiting for us.”

Here’s how social media users reacted with West Ham ‘incensed’ after having injury-time goal ruled out as Arsenal go five points clear…

@lukemaldeni: There are fouls on our players in this situation. The goalkeeper has to be stronger. If that’s down the other end and happens to Hermansen the goal would be given 100%. Premier League & Sky is a loads of BS.

@BradWhiting94: They didn’t even acknowledge Trossard holding Pablo not even looking at the ball. At least these refs aren’t in the championship.

@WestHamJoshV: VAR has just relegated West Ham. Disgusting refereeing performance.

@Leeds_lord1: Enjoy the Championship boys. Trying to cheat Arsenal out of a title win fouling their keeper at the end. Cheats will never succeed remember that. 👍

@whuchr: Gave it a go against 12 men we all knew the outcome at least it makes selling Fernandes easier. How that lot are champions I’ve got no idea diving and cheating VAR corruption against a relegated side is hilarious.

@whuchr: I’m hoping a PGMOL letter is already written for relegating us literally insane

@AlexLavender1: As soon as VAR got involved you could guarantee that goal was getting disallowed. Arsenal do that every corner and get away with it, so biased

@WHUdownunder: Fucking sucks because we deserved something today. One of the worst referee + VAR combined efforts that’s been displayed all year, in likely the most crucial game of the season across the board. Horrible.

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