The Premier league’s official ‘X’ account burst into life to justify their officials’ decision to award Brighton and Hove Albion’s late equaliser, despite a clear and obvious hand ball by the eventual goal scorer which denied the Hammers their much deserved three points in the winter downpour at the Amex.
Their written justification on twitter read:
“The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that Rutter’s arm was in a natural position and he did not deliberately handle the ball, and the contact with the arm was not immediately prior to him scoring.”
As far as the Hammers head coach was concerned, it was an open and shut case of the wrong decision being made:
It’s a handball isn’t it!” Espirito Santo exclaimed live on Sky Sports, understandably finding it difficult to keep his anger and frustration in check.
“We missed a couple of chances that we had, clear ones. It was a good game. I think the first half was good. We created problems. We contained them. Areola didn’t have that much to do. We score, we try to close the game, and unfortunately we could not.”
The reality is that Nuno’s team selection surprised everybody, as did his five at the back defensive set up. But remember this: Had it not have been for the VAR fiasco, he’d have won a rare away victory and in any case has 2 draws, one loss and two wins in his last five games. It isn’t Nuno’s form which is responsible for West Ham being in the bottom three.
The truth is that Graham Potter’s pathetic coaching cock – ups, cave-ins and capitulations are what got us into big trouble at the foot of the league: Nuno’s ability to get the best out of some very ordinary players – yes including Guido Rodriguez today ) much as it pains me to admit it) will – with a little more luck than was on hand today – be enough to prove West Ham’s salvation. That and about fifty million quid well spent in January.
Keep the faith..
