Jeff Stelling and Paul Merson questioned on Soccer Special on Sky Sports how Thomas Soucek’s equalising goal for West Ham was able to stand during their 3-1 win at West Brom on Wednesday.
After missing a penalty during the early stages, European-chasing West Ham then found themselves 1-0 down to the already-relegated Midlands outfit.
But David Moyes’ men found a way back to secure all three points, with Soucek netting a crucial equaliser just before the break, which looked touch and go in terms of being offside.
Before the decision was made to let the goal stand, Sky presenter, Stelling, was adamant that the goal was going to be called ‘offside’, but when it wasn’t, both he and Merson were left stunned.
“I think he’s offside,” said Stelling before the decision was made. “It’s another toe’s length, isn’t it? But he’s going to be offside there is no doubt about it.
“Well, I say there’s no doubt about it, with VAR there is always a doubt about it because you are never quite sure what conclusion they come to. It’s a close-run thing but he is going to be offside.”
The goal is then given and Stelling is in a state of shock to the goal being given.
“What?!” questioned the Sky presenter. “Is that a misprint? Is that a misprint? Can you understand that? When you look at the lines, it’s clear that there is a West Ham player offside. I think it was offside in everyone’s eyes apart from VAR’s.
Merson added: “Oh, he’s onside?! Oh my! Can they spell offside? He’s pressed the wrong button, hasn’t he? WOW! When they are drawing the lines nearer and nearer, his foots offside? WOW!”
There weren’t many complaints from West Brom’s end at the end of the game, but perhaps a reason for that is because they are already down and Sam Allardyce stepped down from his role after the match.
The former Hammers boss was more annoyed with Michail Antonio and his comments about Allardyce’s style of play after the game.
The Englishman labelled Antonio’s comments as ‘disgusting’, as he clearly took offence to the West Ham striker suggesting that the survival expert is a ‘long ball’ coach.
Well, the ‘possession-based’ expert won’t dwell on it too much because another fire-fighter-like job will come around pretty soon.
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