Arsenal escapes with a 1-0 win and a massive 5-point lead over Man City, but the Hammers are not going down without a fight; Yankee Scores reports. 

A meeting is expected between the club and the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO), which represents the referees, in connection with the disallowed equalizer in the match against Arsenal.

There seemed to be no bigger gift for West Ham, and no bigger blow to Arsenal’s championship dreams, than Callum Wilson’s goal in the additional minute of injury time.

The Controversy: Wilson’s Wiped-Out Goal

This was followed by disallowing of the goal on the grounds of a foul committed by Pablo against Arsenal’s goalkeeper, David Raya, based on a review by the video assistant referee (VAR).

With Arsenal winning the game 1-0, the Gunners have extended their lead to five points above Manchester City in the top of the Premier League table, while West Ham remain under more pressure.

Rooney’s Verdict

Former England and Manchester united striker Wayne Rooney believes VAR “did a really good job” in disallowing the goal.

“It’s a clear foul,” Rooney said on the Wayne Rooney Show.

“You’re going to obviously get a lot of people saying they think it should have stood because it’s controversial and probably all the [Manchester] City players, staff, fans are going to say it should have stood. And then you’re going to get all the Tottenham fans, players, staff saying it shouldn’t have stood and of course the Arsenal fans and stuff.

“But it’s a clear foul. I think you can clearly see the arm crosses his face and it impacts him getting to the ball. So I think it’s the right decision.

“It’s the one time I actually think VAR has done a really good job in such an important game.”

However, Rooney rued the advantage goalkeepers get inside their own area.

“I think where VAR is consistent and the referees are consistent – and I hate it – is you go anywhere near the goalkeeper and it’s a foul,” he said.

“I think where VAR is consistent and the referees are consistent – and I hate it – is you go anywhere near the goalkeeper and it’s a foul,” he said.

Unfair Goalkeeper Advantage?

“You go anywhere near the goalkeeper and you give a foul. Throughout my career as a player, I’ve had a dislike for goalkeepers because of that reason. I think because (…) they can jump with their arms and so they have got a big advantage and normally they come out with their knees and the studs down your back and stuff.

“But I think it is consistent with goalkeepers that [if] you go near them, they normally get a free-kick.”