In a dramatic finish to the Premier League match between West Ham and Manchester United, a controversial VAR decision awarded a stoppage-time penalty to West Ham. Referee David Coote initially did not award the penalty, but after VAR suggested an on-field review, the decision was overturned, causing outrage among United players and manager Erik ten Hag. Defender Matthijs de Ligt argued that there was minimal contact with substitute Danny Ings and even claimed the ball hit Ings' hand first, but the penalty stood, leading to West Ham's 2-1 victory. The Premier League has since explained their decision, citing sufficient contact on Ings' lower leg.
In a highly-anticipated Premier League clash on Sunday, March 5th, 2023, a controversial VAR decision overshadowed West Ham United's 2-1 home victory over Manchester United.
Background
The incident occurred in the dying minutes of the match with West Ham clinging onto a narrow 1-0 lead. Substitute Danny Ings received a pass inside the penalty area and went down under a challenge from United defender Matthijs de Ligt. Referee David Coote initially deemed the contact insufficient to award a penalty, but VAR intervened and recommended an on-field review.
After a lengthy consultation, Coote overturned his original decision and pointed to the spot. West Ham striker Michail Antonio stepped up and coolly converted the penalty, securing a dramatic victory for the hosts.
United's Outrage
The decision sparked immediate outrage among United players and manager Erik ten Hag. De Ligt vehemently protested the call, arguing that Ings had initiated the contact and that the ball had hit his hand first. Ten Hag labeled the decision "embarrassing" and accused VAR of "ruining the game."
Premier League Explanation
The Premier League has since issued a statement explaining their decision, stating that there was "sufficient contact on Ings' lower leg" to justify awarding the penalty. They also clarified that the VAR review process is independent and that the on-field referee has the final say on all decisions.
Top 5 FAQs
Why did VAR intervene in the decision?
What did the VAR official see that the referee missed?
Was Ings' handball a factor in the decision?
Why was Manchester United so upset?
What impact will this decision have on the Premier League?
Conclusion
The controversial VAR decision at the end of the West Ham vs Manchester United match has sparked significant discussion and debate. While West Ham celebrated a hard-fought victory, United will be left rueing the decision that cost them a point. The Premier League's explanation has attempted to clarify the decision-making process, but the controversy is likely to continue as the season progresses.
Arsenal extended their perfect Champions League start with a 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid, thanks to two goals from Viktor Gyökeres. The Gunners now sit at the top of the Champions League table alongside Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan, with nine points from three games. Despite concerns over his lack of goals, Gyökeres proved his worth as he helped Arsenal to victory. Atletico Madrid's lack of an away win this season will be a cause for concern for manager Diego Simeone.
The future of Arsenal player Gabriel Jesus remains uncertain as rumors of his transfer circulate. While fans eagerly wait for updates on which club he will join in the January transfer window, the Gunners will have to find a replacement with similar scoring abilities. All eyes are on the upcoming transfer window to see how this move will impact the team's future.
Arsenal's defensive options are given a boost with the return of defender Piero Hincapie ahead of their Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. Hincapie's return comes at a crucial time for manager Mikel Arteta, who is faced with tough selection decisions due to a busy fixture schedule. The Gunners, currently unbeaten in Europe, are looking to continue their flawless start and prove themselves as genuine contenders in the European competition.
As the Champions League returns, Arsenal will face off with Atletico Madrid in a highly anticipated matchup at the Emirates. Both managers, Mikel Arteta and Diego Simeone, have praised each other ahead of the game and are looking to come out victorious after their recent bouts in England. Simeone, who has been at the helm of Atletico since 2011, has offered some advice for Arteta, urging him to maintain the identity he has instilled in the Arsenal squad since his arrival. All eyes will be on this blockbuster clash, as Arteta looks to showcase his tactical prowess against one of the best in the game.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made two changes to his starting lineup for tonight's Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. Gabriel Martinelli and Myles Lewis-Skelly get the nod, while Piero Hincapie returns from injury to the bench. Atletico, on the other hand, have dropped Antoine Griezmann and have made two changes from their weekend victory, including including the return of Nico Gonzalez who suffered a head injury.
After a tumultuous time at Manchester United, Marcus Rashford is thriving at Barcelona as the club's top scorer and playmaker. Despite joining on loan as a practical move for both clubs, Rashford has become a key player for the Spanish giants with five goals and four assists in just 13 games. His improved all-around game has caught the eye of manager Hansi Flick and he has been able to fill in and contribute while other star players deal with injuries, making him an indispensable part of Barcelona's attack.
After a string of goalless matches, Viktor Gyokeres finally found the back of the net twice in Arsenal's 4-0 win against Atletico Madrid. Despite his lack of goals, manager Mikel Arteta continued to praise Gyokeres for his impact on the team and rewarded him with a hug after their recent win over West Ham. Having played more minutes than expected due to an injury to Kai Havertz, Gyokeres' persistence paid off as he now has five goals in 12 matches for Arsenal.
Despite being the reigning Premier League champions, Liverpool has been going through a rough patch, with four consecutive defeats in all competitions. They now face Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany for their third competitive meeting. While the Reds lost their last Champions League match, Frankfurt suffered a thrashing from Atletico Madrid. Liverpool will be eager to break their losing streak and avoid their worst run in 11 years.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has called for patience with the club's record signing Florian Wirtz, who has struggled to find his footing in the Premier League. Slot drew parallels with Kevin De Bruyne's early struggles at Chelsea, pointing out that it takes time for players to adjust to a new league. He also highlighted Wirtz's potential, stating that he could have had more assists if his teammates had converted their chances.
In a highly-anticipated match, Manchester United stunned Anfield with a 3-2 victory over Liverpool, marking their first win at the stadium since 2016. Defender Harry Maguire secured the winning goal for Man Utd in the second half, edging out Liverpool's equalizer scored by Donyell Malen. This loss also marks a milestone for Liverpool, who have now suffered four consecutive defeats in all competitions for the first time since 2014. Meanwhile, Man Utd records back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Football fans can join in on the discussion and share their reactions by commenting on the match page or using the designated WhatsApp and text platforms.