The Premier League has given their seal of approval to the decision that saw Arsenal bag a penalty against West Ham during their 5-2 win over the Hammers.
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka hit the deck after Lucas Paqueta's challenge, leading Anthony Taylor to promptly award the spot-kick. VAR official Michael Salisbury reviewed the challenge before confirming the call.
Skipper Martin Odegaard then coolly netted from 12 yards after Saka handed him the penalty. West Ham took the decision without much fuss with Gary Neville quick to dismiss any claims it wasn't a penalty, reports the Mirror.
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Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka was fouled by Lucas Paqueta (Image: No credit)
An official statement from the Premier League read: "The referee's call of penalty for a foul by Paqueta on Saka was checked and confirmed by VAR, deeming that the contact was sufficient for a penalty."
On Sky Sports, Jamie Redknapp didn't mince his words either when he slammed Paqueta saying: "This is Saka at his best. You have to leave it, you cannot dangle a lazy leg out like Paqueta does."
Odegaard's penalty contributed to a manic first-half goal-fest, with Arsenal scoring five goals. Gabriel scored first for the Gunners with a bullet header 10 minutes in after Saka's corner delivery. Leandro Trossard doubled their lead before Odegaard's penalty, with Kai Havertz soon burying the fourth to make it 4-0.
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's fifth goal from a penalty
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's fifth goal from a penalty (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC)
However, West Ham managed to claw back with a goal from Aaron Wan-Bissaka and a stunning free-kick from Emerson. The drama didn't stop there however as Arsenal were awarded another penalty when Lukas Fabianski was deemed to have fouled Gabriel in the box.
Saka took the penalty this time, successfully converting it and rounding off an intense first half. The Premier League later released a statement confirming the referee's decision, stating: "The referee's call of penalty for a reckless challenge by Fabianski on Gabriel was checked and confirmed by VAR."
This match, with its seven goals, ties the Premier League record for the most goals scored in a first half. This record was previously set during matches between Blackburn Rovers and Leeds United in September 1997 (3-4 at half-time), Bradford City and Derby County in April 2000 (4-3 at half-time), and Reading and Manchester United in December 2012 (3-4 at half-time).
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