Gallagher Backs VAR Call That Denied West Ham 1 Late Goal as Arsenal Move Within 1 Win
Updated
Updated · Football.London · May 11
Gallagher Backs VAR Call That Denied West Ham 1 Late Goal as Arsenal Move Within 1 Win
9 articles · Updated · Football.London · May 11
Dermot Gallagher said officials were right to overturn West Ham's stoppage-time equaliser, ruling the first foul was by Pablo on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya before Declan Rice's challenge on Konstantinos Mavropanos.
VAR disallowed Callum Wilson's goal after Chris Kavanagh reviewed the sequence, with Gallagher saying Pablo's arm across Raya stopped him attacking the ball and made the goalkeeper foul decisive.
Jay Bothroyd also backed the decision, saying Pablo had Raya by the neck and Jean-Clair Todibo was pulling his shirt, which justified the lengthy review in a high-stakes match.
Leandro Trossard's second-half strike therefore stood as the winner, leaving Arsenal needing to beat Burnley next Monday and hope Manchester City drop points against Crystal Palace or Bournemouth to seal the title.
Did VAR's most controversial call save Arsenal's title, or did it expose the system's deepest flaws?
Will this landmark ruling finally end the chaotic grappling with goalkeepers during set-pieces in football?