Ally McCoist hit out at what he considered to be some ‘really poor’ refereeing from Andrew Madley before Jarrod Bowen put West Ham United 2-1 up against Brentford in the FA Cup fifth round at the London Stadium.
Nuno Espirito Santo made seven changes from the team which saw off Fulham five days earlier.
One of those who remained in the West Ham United XI was Jarrod Bowen, though, and the captain proved that form is indeed permanent with two first-half strikes.
Bowen brace puts Hammers ahead!
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Rangers legend McCoist was not pleased with the fact it took an on-field review, recommended by VAR official Constantine Hatzidakis, before referee Andrew Madley pointed to the penalty spot.
Jarrod Bowen puts West Ham United ahead with a penalty against Brentford
“He’s relying on someone! It’s wrong!” McCoist fumed on TNT Sports, feeling that Madley actively avoided blowing up after Michael Kayode had tripped Adama Traore in the hope of being given a second look with the benefit of the screen.
“He’s not refereeing the game in a manner that he would if he wasn’t relying on VAR! Of course, he gives it [without VAR], and so he should. But he’s refereeing the game thinking he’s got a safety valve.
“We’re 60 yards away, but we could see right away [that Traore was fouled].
“My point is this; I’ll give the referee a little bit of credit and respect. He must see that! He has to see that! Forget about the safety net, because that now looks like a really poor bit of refereeing, not giving that [on first viewing].
“It’s the right decision, no getting away from it, but it’s poor. It really is poor. It’s poor refereeing. I’m sorry, he should be making that decision himself. He’s got the safety valve of VAR knowing it will correct him, and it did.”
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Mateus Fernandes awards penalty call in VAR-heavy first-half
Having opened the scoring with a close range volley – the skipper’s first goal since the 3-2 defeat at Chelsea at the end of January – Bowen put West Ham back in front from 12 yards in the 34th minute.
Brentford had drawn level in the 28th when Igor Thiago deflected the ball past Alphonse Areola from close range.
McCoist also praised Hatzidakis in the VAR booth again when he decided against sending Madley to the screen just before the break. Mateus Fernandes was at the heart of a red card debate against Fulham but, again, appeared to get his foot in at the last second to nick it away from Brentford forward Kevin Schade.
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