There were two VAR penalty checks of note during the second half of West Ham United’s 0-0 draw with AFC Bournemouth; one a lot more concerning than the other.
As the Cherries prepared to take a corner kick midway through the final 45, El Hadji Malick Diouf made the bizarre decision to tug on Marcos Senesi’s shirt and refuse to let go.
Senesi hit the deck and, once the replays flashed up on the screen, those watching West Ham United’s sixth successive draw against Bournemouth would have been fearing the worst.
So close yet so far… 😮💨
What did you make of the stalemate with Bournemouth?
Nuno Espirito Santo, Manager of West Ham United, reacts during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Bournemouth at London Stadium on February 21, 2026 in London, England.
Diouf was perhaps harshly penalised against Arsenal in October when a spot-kick was awarded against him during a 2-0 defeat. Luck would be on his side this time, though.
El Hadji Malick Diouf escapes VAR as West Ham United are held by Bournemouth
Bill Leslie, the Sky Sports commentator, had the luxury of being able to hear every word said in the Video Assistant Review truck at Stockley Park.
The only reason Diouf got away with his blunder, Leslie said, was because Bournemouth were yet to take the corner. If they had taken it, a penalty almost certainly would have been awarded.
Malick Diouf playing for West Ham against Leeds.
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
“[VAR pointed out that] the ball was not in play when the offence occurred,” the commentator explains.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
Diouf impresses up against Rayan in London Stadium stalemate
In the end, it was a pretty impressive display from Diouf, and the rest of West Ham’s backline.
Diouf dealt with Amad Diallo against Manchester United in their previous Premier League outing. And while Bournemouth sensation Rayan did have his moments – he rattled the post after one barnstorming run – Diouf made some excellent back-post contributions to ensure Mads Hermansen now has three clean sheets in his last four Premier League matches.
Your Man of the Match?
Was anyone better than Summerville?
As for the latest incident involving Soungoutou Magassa, well, we will let Leslie explain.
“It didn’t hit an arm,” Leslie said with a knowing chuckle. “It hit a sensitive area.”
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox