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Premier League release statements on West Ham vs Wolves VAR drama as Gary O'Neil fuming

Wolves boss Gary O'Neil was incensed on the sidelines after his team were denied what could have been a game-changing penalty in their clash against West Ham United.

Wolves, languishing in 19th place due after a torrid start to the Premier League campaign, were deperately seeking a victory at the London Stadium on Monday night.

However, it was West Ham's manager Julen Lopetegui who emerged smiling as Tomas Soucek netted a goal that kicked off the hosts' lead with an unchallenged header from a corner kick.

The controversy peaked when Emerson Palmieri appeared to foul Goncalo Guedes and despite the appeals, both the referee and VAR weren't moved.

And the Premier League match centre explained the decision afterwards: "The referee's call of no penalty for the challenge by Emerson on Guedes was checked and confirmed by VAR, deeming that the contact was outside the box."

Wolves managed to claw their way back into the game with a neat half-volley from Matt Doherty only for Jarrod Bowen to later clinch the winner for West Ham thanks to a fantastic solo effort, intensifying the scrutiny on O'Neil's tenure.

O'Neil was left further frustrated as Konstantinos Mavropanos escaped punishment for stepping on Jean-Ricner Bellegarde's foot in the penalty area. The West Ham man appeared to make contact with the Wolves player before Tommy Doyle's late shot was fired over, but VAR didn't step in.

"It was a completely unnecessary challenge from Konstantinos Mavropanos. He's so lucky to get away with it," Sky Sports co-commentator Andy Hinchcliffe remarked.

The Premier League match centre explained: "The referee's call of no penalty for the challenge by Mavropanos on Bellegarde was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed the referee's call was not clear and obviously wrong."

O'Neil also took issue with Bowen's goal, as he argued that Mavropanos had made a foul in the lead-up. However, things could have been worse, as Mohammed Kudus had two goals rightly disallowed for offside in the second half.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day post-match, O'Neil voiced his grievances. "I think there's four. I don't think it's a corner, the corner they score from. I think it comes back off [Aaron] Wan-Bissaka," he stated.

"There's a blatant foul in the build up to West Ham's second goal on [Santiago] Bueno in the middle of the box, unbelievably blatant. Really surprised that wasn't given first then checked.

"Then the penalty is a blatant penalty, Emerson on a yellow card, tracking back, has a big shove into the back of Guedes which causes him to stand on ball. Small contact but enough to make Jean-Ricner Bellegarde fall over. Disappointed they didn't go our way but we have our own battles to fight."

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