West Ham United were robbed of a penalty when Alex Iwobi escaped a handball call during the opening exchanges of Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Fulham.
That is the view of Mike Dean, Robbie Savage, and one would imagine thousands of West Ham United supporters left bemused as Jarrod Bowen’s corner brushed off the upper arm of the Fulham midfielder.
In the 16th minute, the visiting skipper fizzed a corner into the near post. Iwobi leant to his left in an attempt to knock it clear, the ball striking what certainly appeared to be more arm than shoulder.
Level at the break! If you’re Nuno – what is your team talk?!
Referee Matt Donohue briefly paused the play for a VAR check, only to resume proceedings with another Hammers corner a few moments later.
Mike Dean thinks West Ham United should have had a penalty at Fulham
Speaking on Sky Sports, former Premier League official Mike Dean felt Nuno Espirito Santo’s side could consider themselves hard done by.
“I thought it was a penalty,” said Dean. “[Iwobi] was leaning towards the ball.
“I can see why it was not given though. It went to the VAR and [Donohue] obviously thought it hit him too high up the arm.”
Dave Farrar and his TNT Sports co-commentator Robbie Savage were not quite so understanding of a highly-contentious decision.
“Is it above the sleeve? That is close,” said Savage, the ex-Blackburn, Birmingham and Derby County midfielder. “Wow, I’m not sure [that is the right call].
“The arm is in an unnatural position and he leans into it.
“For me, that’s arm!” agreed Farrar. “That, for me, was bicep. It wasn’t as if it was kicked from close range at him or anything like that!”
Iwobi rejected the Hammers in favour of Arsenal in his youth team days. More than a decade later, the Nigeria international would frustrate the East Londoners again at Craven Cottage.
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