In a dramatic turn of events, West Ham clinched a 2-1 victory over Manchester United with a penalty in the 92nd minute—a decision that referees’ chief Howard Webb has since claimed was incorrect.
United defender Matthijs de Ligt was penalized for a challenge on Danny Ings, leading to Jarrod Bowen’s match-winning goal from the spot.
The on-field referee, David Coote, initially declined to award a penalty, but video assistant referee (VAR) Michael Oliver urged Coote to review the incident on the pitch-side monitor.
Despite Ings appearing to handle the ball, Coote overturned his decision after a two-minute review.
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Erik Ten Hag’s Reaction and Departure
Less than a day after this controversial match, Manchester United announced Erik ten Hag’s departure, ending his two-and-a-half-year tenure.
The loss left United in 14th place in the Premier League, intensifying pressure on Ten Hag. After the match, Ten Hag was visibly frustrated by the decision.
He told reporters, “It was so difficult to see. 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.”
According to The Times, he expressed his growing frustration, stating, “That’s a third time I have felt injustice in the 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.”
Howard Webb to Address Decision on ‘Match Officials Mic’d Up’
In the upcoming international break, Webb, PGMOL’s chief refereeing officer, is set to appear on the ‘Match Officials Mic’d Up’ show to address recent officiating controversies.
While it’s not confirmed which incidents will be covered, it’s expected that the debated penalty call against United will be discussed, given Webb’s public disagreement with the decision.
