David Moyes has branded Australian VAR official Jarred Gillett unfit for duty after the West Ham boss was also involved in an expletive-laden confrontation with referee Andy Madley following his side’s 2-1 loss at Chelsea.
West Ham boss Moyes accused Edouard Mendy of twice faking injury, as his side were denied a draw on Saturday when Maxwel Cornet’s goal was chalked off after a VAR review.
Referee Madley awarded the goal, deeming Jarrod Bowen’s contact with Chelsea keeper Mendy as no issue before Cornet fired home.
Mendy had spilled the ball, allowing Cornet the chance to level, but VAR Gillett ordered Madley to review the incident on the pitchside monitors – and the effort was duly ruled out.
West Ham star Declan Rice took to social media to vent his own frustrations, posting on Twitter: “That’s up there with one of the worst VAR decisions made since it’s come into the game. Shambles.”
An incensed Moyes insisted he had “lost faith” in “weak” Premier League refereeing standards in an extended rant.
“I’m amazed that VAR sent the referee for him to see it,” said Moyes.
“But I thought even if he goes to the TV, there’s no way the referee’s overturning this, because this is a goal. It was a ridiculously bad decision.
“But I’d question VAR (Gillett) today as much as the referee. But the referee should have stuck to his own guns today.
Jarrod Bowen and Declan Rice remonstrate with referee Andy Madley. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
“There’s no excuse for VAR today, there is no excuse for that to be a goal, none whatsoever.
“The sad thing is this is the level of the weak refereeing at the moment.
“Look, ultimately, I make loads of mistakes, referees can make loads of mistakes. But I would hope if the referee made a mistake that’s why it’s corrected by VAR.
“But if you’re saying today that the referee’s mistake was corrected by VAR, I’m saying I do not see that in a million years.
“And I’m actually more embarrassed for the guy who did the VAR than I am even for the referee.
“Because that’s telling me it’s someone who doesn’t understand football and probably shouldn’t be near it, if they think that was enough to send the referee to the screen.”
Champions Manchester City and Liverpool have both been held to draws in the Premier League, leaving Arsenal still on top of the table ahead of their game at Manchester United.
Liverpool were frustrated by Frank Lampard’s determined Everton in a goalless Merseyside derby on Saturday while City were held to a 1-1 draw at Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa, despite Erling Haaland scoring yet again.
Tottenham maintained their fast start to the season with Harry Kane sealing a 2-1 victory over Fulham.
Liverpool had 23 goal attempts but could find no way through at Goodison Park where both sides hit the woodwork and Everton were denied a winner by a VAR decision.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have nine points from a possible 18 and find themselves six points behind leaders Arsenal and five behind City and Spurs.
Arsenal could go four points clear if they win Sunday’s match at Old Trafford.
In a gripping Merseyside derby, Everton keeper Jordan Pickford made several fine saves and the hosts thought they had grabbed the lead when Conor Coady tapped in at the far post.
With pandemonium ensuing at Goodison, the goal was ruled out for offside after a long VAR review.
A cracking derby then ended with Mohamed Salah firing against the post in stoppage time.
Everton’s 12-year wait for a win over Liverpool at Goodison goes on but manager Frank Lampard took plenty of positives from the draw.
“I thought we were brilliant. It’s one of the best 0-0s you’re likely to see,” said the former England midfielder.
At Villa Park, Haaland notched his 10th goal in his sixth game as he put City head after the break, guiding in a superb deep cross from Kevin De Bruyne.
But Villa hit back when Jamaican winger Leon Bailey fired past Ederson with a sweet first-time shot.
Newcastle felt aggrieved as they had a goal chalked off following a VAR decision in a 0-0 home stalemate with Crystal Palace, their fourth draw in six games.
Ivan Toney was the day’s star, scoring a stunning hat-trick for Brentford in a 5-2 mauling of Leeds.
Wolves claimed their first win of the season as they beat Southampton 1-0 with Daniel Podence on target just before halftime.
Nottingham Forest, who signed 21 new players in the transfer window for a combined 145 million pounds ($A245 million), including several on deadline day, squandered a 2-0 lead at home to Bournemouth to eventually lose 3-2 and fall into the bottom three.
For Spurs, Kane’s 75th minute tap-in at home gave him his 188th EPL goal, taking him past Andy Cole into third place on the all-time scoring list in the Premier League era.
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