[West Ham](https://www.claretandhugh.info/nuno-to-hold-nerve-crystal-palace-v-west-ham-preview-team-news-predicted-line-ups/) maintained their two point advantage over Spurs as both teams picked up three points: Results which bring Nottingham Forest and Leeds back into play as the season heads into its last month. Next Saturday West Ham travel to Brentford whilst Spurs have an arguably even tougher assignment away at Aston Villa the day after.
### West Ham escaped an absolute stonewall penalty award
Quite how questionable was the decision that enabled West Ham to go on and win that game this afternoon will become apparent to thousands of TV viewers tonight when the highlights are aired: VAR’s inexplicable decision not to award a penalty for Mateus Fernandes clear handball looks even more questionable each time you see it.
**[Click here](https://www.reddit.com/r/TheOther14/comments/1svhhjj/apparently_not_handball/)**– (video courtesy of reddit.com) and judge for yourself.
The midfielder had his arms around Thierno Barry but was adjudged ‘_to be in a grappling motion_‘ when the ball hit his hand. Whatever that means. Everton’s manager was clear in his own mind that the decision was wrong:
_“I’m amazed they’ve not given a penalty-kick for it,”_ David Moyes said, speaking after the game.
_“I think it was VAR who made the decision. I don’t know who was on it today, but they certainly got it wrong, that’s for sure.”_
That decision affected the game, West Ham’s season and quite possibly theirs and Spurs’ future in the Premier League. Just for once, the Hammers had luck on their side after cave-ins, last-minute capitulations and some dodgy decisions of their own. So nobody from the east side of London is complaining this evening.