Jarrod Bowen has criticised referee Chris Kavanagh’s decision to disallow Callum Wilson’s equaliser against Arsenal.
Wilson’s thunderous strike levelled the score at 1-1 in injury time before Kavanagh was sent to the pitchside screen.
The referee controversially disallowed the goal for a foul on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya by Pablo Felipe.
Pablo’s arm was impeding Raya as he jumped to catch the ball, but there were probably a dozen other fouls at the same time.
There has also been no consistency in similar situations throughout the season, which made it a difficult call either way.
Bowen has now explained why he vehemently disagreed with the decision in a passionate rant after the game.
Sum up your feelings on that result if you can… 😢
Heartbroken is an understatement! 💔
Jarrod Bowen disagrees with Callum Wilson’s disallowed goal vs Arsenal
Bowen had several issues with VAR’s decision to disallow Callum Wilson’s late equaliser against Arsenal.
Firstly, the Englishman raised the point that it cannot be a ‘clear and obvious error’ if it takes so long to evaluate.
Both the VAR and referee spent several minutes assessing the situation before making their final decision.
Bowen also suggested there are multiple fouls at every set piece, so a higher threshold should be required for them to be given.
Dinos Mavropanos was certainly being held by Declan Rice, among several other incidents in the penalty area.
Meanwhile, Tomas Soucek did not win a penalty against Brentford last week for a similar impediment from a set piece.
“A real blow. We thought we’d done so well to get back in it and had it taken away from us,” Bowen reacted on Sky Sports.
Give us your response to Callum Wilson’s VAR heartbreak? 😫
The right call? Or harsh on Pablo?
“When you look at the screen for five minutes, you’ll find something – a lot of grappling and a lot of holding. I’m sure if you look long enough, you’ll find something. Do I think it’s the right decision? No.
“Frustration. Where’s the consistency? As a fan, you don’t want to celebrate a goal and then wait eight minutes, and it’s taken off you.
“Corners are physical. The Premier League is physical. That’s why everyone loves it. You have to expect contact at corners. If you give that you have to give all the holding calls in the world, and that’s not the way people want the game to go down.
“I don’t want to sound bitter, but last week we had one with Tomas Soucek held at Brentford, and we didn’t get a penalty. But then you can’t give one like that today.”
West Ham will find the decision even more frustrating, given that Arsenal are particularly aggressive from every set piece.
Hopefully, Bowen and Co will not let their disappointment carry over into their must-win games against Newcastle and Leeds.
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