West Ham launched an immediate complaint after Callum Wilson’s 95th-minute goal was controversially ruled out against Arsenal. Hammers skipper Jarrod Bowen insisted that there was more holding in the penalty area among other players, rather than just the incident involving Pablo and David Raya.
The club also claimed that other situations have been “judged different” in previous matches, pointing to their recent game against Brentford, where their pleas fell on deaf ears. The goal, if West Ham had seen out a point, would have put them level with Tottenham and also blown the title race wide open.
A frustrated Bowen told Sky Sports: “Yeah [hard done by]. There is a lot of ways I could go about answering this question.
“Because we are on the receiving end, we will feel hard done by. Football is a sport that brings enjoyment and brings big moments. We had our big moment and thought we got back in the game.
“Look at something for five minutes, trying to find something.
“Goalkeepers are protected more than outfield players and there is a lot of holding inside the box. Are you going to look at those every time and give a penalty? That is the only way that is the right way to do it.
“You can’t wipe a goalkeeper out but the keeper has come in to grab the ball and has to expect contact. It’s the Premier League; there is going to be contact.
“We had one at Brentford last week when Tomas Soucek got pulled at the back post and did not get a penalty. I just think, like I said, if you look at something long enough, you will find something to give.
“I can guarantee that pundits and people watching know football is a physical game. If you’re going to give it, give it every week. Where is the line and where is the bar?”
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo similarly said that other situations have been “judged different” to the incident where Wilson’s goal was chalked off.
He added: “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.”