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Shearer blasts VAR in West Ham debacle

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West Ham United were cruelly denied a point from Saturday’s highly controversial 2-1 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in what topped off an awful weekend for Video Assistant Refereeing.

The Hammers found themselves in the lead courtesy of a 63rd-minute opener from Michail Antonio, but an equaliser from Ben Chilwell got the hosts back into the game, before a late Kai Havertz goal, which was thought to be the winner, saw Chelsea take the lead for the first time in the clash.

Though, a resurgent West Ham side who showed no signs of lying down came back once again, busting their way into the box to score a last-minute equaliser that rightly had fans erupting from the stands.

Maxwell Cornet caught onto an Edouard Mendy spillage, thanks to pressure sustained by Jarrod Bowen.

As soon as Mendy felt contact with Bowen, the Senegalese international stayed down, making way for a VAR check that searched for a possible foul in the build-up.

It ended up saving the Blues’ blushes as the Hammers’ goal was chalked off, causing pundit Alan Shearer to lament the series of decisions that took place on the day.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Shearer said: ”Minimum interference, maximum benefit, was what we were told when VAR was brought in.

“It is as bad as decision as you will ever see – or at least for another half-hour

“They should be told to stay out of it the VAR officials. This was never ever, ever a foul. And I don’t think anyone who has played the game will agree with the VAR Jared Gillett and the referee Andy Madley.

“The keeper [Mendy] goes down because he realises he’s made a wreck. [Jarrod] Bowen just steps over him, he doesn’t interfere with the play.

“We saw Michael Oliver stick to his decision when he went over to the monitor [to review a penalty incident in Bournemouth’s win over Nottingham Forest]. Why doesn’t he [Madley] stick to his decision?

“It’s a beyond terrible, disgraceful decision.”

The Match of the Day pundit said it exactly how it was in an unmissable claim that will unite the West Ham faithful, though it does not change the fact that Moyes and co were robbed of what is a huge point considering their position in the Premier League table.

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