Jamie carragher called out Michel Oliver for getting involved in the penalty which decided West Ham’s win over Manchester United.
With the score 1-1 heading into injury time, the home side appealed for a spot kick when Danny Ings went down under a challenge from Matthijs de Ligt. The on-field decision was to wave play on.
But to the fury of the United players and bench, Oliver – on VAR duty – intervened, making the decision to overturn the initial decision and awarded the Hammers a penalty. Jarrod Bowen stepped up and scored to seal the three points for the Hammers to compound United’s misery.
A Premier League statement declared: “The referee did not award a penalty to West Ham for a challenge by De Ligt on Ings. The VAR deemed there was sufficient contact on Ings’ lower leg and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned his original decision and awarded a penalty.”
Carragher, the Match of the Day pundit and the Premier League’s all-time record goalscorer, immediately hit back.
On duty for Premier League productions, he said: Awful decision. That’s a terrible decision whether you like Manchester United or not, and I don’t understand why Michael Oliver [VAR] got involved.”
Carragher congratulated Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui for his side’s win, declaring: “Well done Julen Lopetegui, because his team really were awful in that first half.
“After the three changes, much more energy, much more spark. West Ham punished Man United, good one-touch football. It’s a huge day for Lopetegui.”
The result leaves United in 14th in the Premier League table, with pressure continuing to mount on Erik ten Hag – who voiced his fury after the game.
Ten Hag said: “Before the season there was the instruction about VAR only interfering in clear and obvious mistakes. That is definitely not a clear and obvious mistake from the on field referee.
“That’s the third time I have felt injustice this season and it has a big impact on our team and on our scores and where we are in the table. It’s not right. In this moment luck is not on our side. It was unfair and unjust the way we conceded the penalty.
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