Referee Chris Kavanagh and VAR Jarred Gillett stunned David Moyes by ruling out Michail Antonio’s goal in West Ham United’s draw with Brighton, via quotes by football.london.
The Hammers had to settle for a point at home to the Seagulls on Wednesday night, after Neal Maupay struck in the final minute of regular time to cancel out Tomas Soucek’s strike.
Soucek broke the deadlock five-minutes into the Premier League meeting with his first goal since the opening day. He glanced home Pablo Fornals’ early corner, as the Irons instantly exposed Brighton’s struggles to deal with set-pieces and put pressure on Robert Sanchez.
It was no surprise, then, that dead ball situations proved West Ham’s best route to scoring past Brighton. But Kavanagh and Gillett would deny Antonio on a quiet night for the striker.
Seagulls goalkeeper Sanchez again made a mess of dealing with a corner when he failed to collect the ball. It ricocheted goal-bound off Craig Dawson, hitting the back of Shane Duffy’s leg on the way, before making the faintest of contact with an unaware Antonio’s shin.
VAR Gillett took four-minutes to review the goal before advising on-field referee Kavanagh to rule it out for offside. The call kept Brighton in the game, before Maupay’s late equaliser.
Gillett and Kavanagh stun West Ham boss Moyes with VAR decision
VAR Gillett and Kavanagh chalking Antonio’s goal against Brighton off for offside stunned West Ham boss Moyes. He now hopes the Premier League offer an explanation as to why.
“I don’t think we’re in the game to chalk goals off,” Moyes said. “My understanding is that it came off the back of Duffy’s leg, which would constitute a goal. Whoever did it must have had a very clear picture. I found that decision very difficult.
“It should be much clearer to see why that goal should not stand. I am hoping I am shown a real reason why that goal should not have been given. I don’t know if I will chase them [for an explanation], but I would like somebody to give me a reason why.”
Brighton rallied from their close call of falling two behind through Antonio’s cancelled goal to equalise against West Ham. Maupay’s hit also leaving the Irons at risk of now losing their fourth-place when Arsenal visit Manchester United on Thursday.
West Ham are now three games without a win after the Brighton stalemate capped back-to-back defeats. Antonio has also not scored in his last five outings after netting six in eight.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
