Former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher has said that West Ham United should have been awarded a penalty against Chelsea on Saturday.
The Blues left Saturday's Premier League fixture at the London Stadium with three points after cruising to a 3-0 victory against the Hammers.
Nicolas Jackson had put Chelsea two goals to the good within the opening 18 minutes, with Cole Palmer then confirming the victory early in the second half.
West Ham were booed off at half time and full time, a consequence of being regularly opened up at the back by their relentless opponents.
Nevertheless, there was a moment in the opening 45 minutes when they felt aggrieved at not being given a spot kick.
#WHUCHE – 28'
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) September 21, 2024
The referee's call of no penalty for the challenge by Fofana on Summerville is checked and confirmed by VAR - deeming that this was not sustained holding.
What happened?
Crysencio Summerville had gotten the better of Wesley Fofana on the edge of the area before attempting to advance into the 18-yard box, where he would have attempted a shot or cross.
Having been pulled back by Fofana, the winger went to ground, only for the referee to wave away West Ham's appeals for a penalty and VAR to claim that it was "not sustained holding".
With Fofana having held Summerville's arm both inside and outside of the area, Gallagher feels the Frenchman was fortunate to avoid giving West Ham the chance to halve what was a 2-0 deficit at the time.
Speaking to Sky Sports News' Ref Watch, Gallagher said: "I think it's a penalty. He holds him so long.
"It starts outside the penalty area. He holds him, he holds him, he holds him. It's gone on too long. The dilemma for the VAR is the referee has the perfect view and says no. I think in this case it is 'the referee's call'.
"Is it a massive howler? Well, I think it's a penalty so to me it's wrong. But the VAR isn't there to judge he's there to decide 'is it a massive howler'. Is it easier to soften the blow and send the ref to the screen? Is that what we want?"
© Imago
Consequences for Lopetegui
West Ham have now lost three successive Premier League home fixtures under Julen Lopetegui, albeit to Aston Villa, Manchester City and Chelsea.
The Spaniard has at least guided the East Londoners to four points from away encounters against Crystal Palace and Fulham respectively.
Nevertheless, with an EFL Cup tie at Liverpool and top-flight fixture at Brentford to come this week, there is potential for the pressure to crank up on Lopetegui.
Darren Plant
