West Ham to make official complaint as Arsenal VAR drama escalates | OneFootball

Hammers to contact refereeing body PGMOL to express concerns over costly decision to rule out Callum Wilson’s last-gasp equaliser

West Ham are set to request an explanation from The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) after their equalising goal against Arsenal on Sunday was disallowed following a VAR review.

Standard Sport understands that West Ham will contact the refereeing body to raise concerns after Callum Wilson saw his stoppage-time effort controversially ruled out.

But referee Chris Kavanagh eventually ruled out the goal for a foul on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.

Ruled out: West Ham’s last-gasp equaliser against Arsenal was disallowed for a foul on David Raya

PA

Having been sent over to the pitchside monitor by VAR official Darren England, Kavanagh ruled that West Ham forward Pablo had his arm across Raya, restricting him from getting to the corner that led to Wilson firing in what looked to be a pivotal goal at both ends of the table.

The decision took six minutes to make and led West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo to call for more clarity around the rules, while captain Jarrod Bowen lamented a lack of consistency from officials.

"They have to solve it," Nuno said of the decision to rule out West Ham's equaliser. "They have to come to the clubs and explain and show why sometimes it is, sometimes it's not. Sometimes it's a goal, sometimes not a goal.

"Everybody feels confused. Today we are upset, we are sad."

Wilson’s disallowed goal meant Arsenal hung on for a 1-0 win that saw them extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table over Manchester City to five points while ensuring that West Ham remain rooted in the bottom three with only two games to go.

Having been denied the chance to draw level on points with Tottenham in 17th place, the Hammers could find themselves four adrift of safety if Spurs beat Leeds - who are now mathematically safe - at home on Monday night.