Nuno wants VAR 'consistency' as West Ham fight to avoid relegation

TL;DR

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo demands more consistency from VAR after his team was denied a crucial equalizer against Arsenal. The Hammers are fighting relegation and have complained to referees about inconsistent officiating decisions.

Key points

Nuno Espirito Santo calls for VAR consistency.
West Ham denied a goal against Arsenal due to a foul.
The team is fighting relegation, two points behind Tottenham.

Mentioned in this story

Nuno Espirito SantoCallum WilsonDavid Raya

West HamArsenalTottenhamBrentford

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo (Adrian Dennis) (Adrian Dennis/AFP/AFP) West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo wants VAR decisions to show more consistency after his relegation-haunted side were denied a crucial equaliser against Arsenal. Nuno's team thought they had rescued a valuable 1-1 draw with the Premier League leaders last weekend when Callum Wilson netted in stoppage-time. But Wilson's goal was disallowed after Pablo was penalised for a foul on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya. Adding to Nuno's frustration after the 1-0 loss, separate unpunished potential fouls occurred during the same phase of play, which could have earned his men a penalty -- prompting West Ham to complain to referees' body the PGMOL. And on Friday, the Premier League's Key Match Incidents panel also said the Hammers should have been awarded two penalties during their 3-0 defeat at Brentford a week earlier. "We made a complaint," admitted Nuno, whose third-bottom side are two points behind fourth-bottom Tottenham with only two games left. "I think it was normal that we did it, to try to find some answers to some questions that creates a lot of doubts. "What is needed, and we're going to speak about referees and VAR, is consistency. It would help the game, it would help the Premier League, it would help first and foremost the players. "They have to realise, they have to understand that there are no doubts, no frustrations." West Ham travel to Newcastle on Sunday knowing a victory would lift them out of the relegation zone, before Tottenham face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. The prospect of dropping into the Championship for the first time since 2011-12 is a painful one for West Ham, who hired Nuno after sacking Graham Potter in September. Nuno, who was axed himself by earlier this season, has no time to fret any further about VAR as he steels himself for the final chapter of West Ham's survival fight. "The problem is that we compare similar situations with different decisions. This is where it is a frustration. That's why I insist on the term consistency, it's needed," he said. "I didn't have time to think about the changes that find the solutions. It's not my clear focus on that. But more than anything, I think it's up to PGMOL to solve it." smg/dmc

Q&A

What VAR decisions did West Ham complain about against Arsenal?

West Ham's equalizer was disallowed due to a foul on Arsenal's goalkeeper, and they also highlighted unpunished fouls that could have led to penalties.

How many points behind Tottenham is West Ham in the relegation battle?

West Ham is two points behind fourth-bottom Tottenham with only two games left in the season.

What does Nuno Espirito Santo say is needed for VAR in the Premier League?

Nuno insists that consistency in VAR decisions is essential to reduce doubts and frustrations for players and teams.

Nuno wants VAR 'consistency' as West Ham fight to avoid relegation

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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