Jamie Carragher West Ham Wolves badges
Jamie Carragher reacted to West Ham v Wolves.
Jonathan Burnett
Tue 10 December 2024 7:10, UK
West Ham United were extremely lucky not to concede a foul in the build-up to Jarrod Bowen’s winning goal against Wolves, Jamie Carragher has said.
Speaking on Sky Sports (9 December), Carragher was in disbelief that Konstantinos Mavropanos’ challenge on Santiago Bueno wasn’t seen by the referee, who had a clear view of the incident.
Mavropanos jumping on the back of Bueno wasn’t punished before the ball was picked up by Bowen, who scored to secure a 2-1 win at the London Stadium.
Carragher said: “For me, that’s a foul – the referee’s standing there looking, it’s just a foul, you just give it.
“If the ball’s nowhere near him and he wasn’t really challenging for the ball, or the ball goes back post, you leave it – but he’s jumping for the ball, he’s trying to get the ball and he just jumps on the back of the defender.
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“How is that not a foul? If you’re Gary O’Neil or you’re Wolves supporters sat at home watching that now, you’re furious with that – it’s right in front of the referee, I can’t believe he hasn’t given that.”
West Ham get their stroke of luck amid huge controversy v Wolves
It’s far from the first time that Wolves have been on the end of a controversial VAR moment this season or last – including in games against the Hammers – but that’ll be scant consolation for the visitors.
It’s rare that a match has so much riding on it for both concerned managers this early in the season, with Julen Lopetegui said to be on the brink at the London Stadium had he not come away with three points [Gabby Agbonlahor, 5 December].
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil was in the same boat as his Hammers counterpart, and it remains to be seen if that controversial winner from Bowen proves to be what puts paid to his time in the Molineux dugout.
It wouldn’t be the first time a Bowen goal in such circumstances has resulted in a manager losing his job this season, with Erik ten Hag sacked in the wake of a controversial penalty against Manchester United.
Lopetegui lives to fight another day in East London – arguably with some help from poor refereeing – but the Spaniard still has some way to go if he’s to truly win over the Irons faithful.
In other West Ham news, Jim White shared what he’d been told about Michail Antonio’s recovery period following his car accident.
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