West Ham were denied a stoppage-time equaliser by the VAR as Arsenal clung on to a vital 1-0 win to close in on the Premier League title.
Callum Wilson looked to have earned West Ham a vital point in their fight against relegation when he lashed home following a goalmouth scramble that came from a corner delivered from the right.
The striker’s half-volley was blocked beyond the line by Declan Rice, clearly crossing, with the goal quickly awarded by referee Chris Kavanagh.
West Ham were denied by VAR (PA)
Arsenal, however, immediately cried foul due to an incident involving goalkeeper David Raya and West Ham substitute Pablo.
In a thicket of bodies in the six-yard box, Raya appear to be grasped by the Brazilian as he attempted to claim the initial delivery into the box.
After a long deliberation of the available angles, VAR Darren England instructed referee Kavanagh to review the footage on the pitchside monitor.
Following a discussion between the officials, Kavanagh chalked the goal off, awarding a free kick to the visiting team.
“After review, West Ham No 19 commits a foul on the goalkeeper,” the referee said. “Final decision: direct free kick.”
Soon after, he blew the final whistle on a potentially decisive day at both ends of the table, with Leandro Trossard’s goal enough for Arsenal to remain in control of their own destiny.
Afterwards Mikel Arteta congratulated the “brave” match officials for overturning an “obvious error” in Arsenal’s win, which edges them closer to a first Premier League title in 22 years.
West Ham were furious with the decision, but for Arsenal it takes them five points clear of City, and leaves them only two matches away from the title.
And Arteta said: “It was a call from the ref that is very brave, but very consistent with what they’ve been talking about all season.
“When I have to be critical, I have been. And today I have to praise them, at least for giving the option to a referee to decide, away from the lights and the chaos, to give clarity to him to make the right call. And when you look at the action in that way, it is an obvious error.
“It is a free-kick, and the goal has to be disallowed. So congratulations, because they made a big call in very, very difficult circumstances.
Arteta congratulated the officials (Getty)
“Today I have realised how difficult and how big the referee’s job is. Because you’re talking about a moment that can decide the history, and the course, of two massive clubs that are fighting with their lives to achieve their objectives. And the pressure is huge.”
But for relegation-threatened West Ham, the disallowed goal leaves them a point behind Tottenham, having played a game more.
Forward Jarrod Bowen told Sky Sports: “We had our big moment, and we thought we’d got back into the game. (But if you) look at something for five minutes, you’re trying to find something.
Referee Chris Kavanagh made a huge call on a VAR review (PA Wire)
“Goalkeepers are protected more than outfield players. There’s lots of holding and grappling that goes on in the box. Are you going to look at those every time and give a penalty? Because that’s the only way that is the right way to do it.
“It’s a corner kick, it’s physical, it’s the Premier League. There’s going to be contact and tussles.
“People are going to say I sound bitter but I’m just being honest. I’m sure we could go back through every single game and see goalkeepers getting fouled and not getting decisions. If you’re going to give it, give it for every single thing every week.”
