Agbonlahor lambasts VAR blunder as controversial West Ham footage analysed
Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted the first West Ham goal against Bournemouth on Monday (24 October) should have been disallowed for a “definite handball”.
The former England and Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, also insisted defenders must be “smarter and better” after Jordan Zemura conceded a spot-kick for handball late on in the contest.
As seen in footage from Sky Sports’ YouTube channel (24 October), Thilo Kehrer appeared to flick the ball on with his hands in the immediate build-up to Kurt Zouma’s opener.
West Ham went on to win 2-0 after Said Benrahma converted the penalty given away by Zemura late on at the London Stadium.
As quoted by the BBC after the final whistle, Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil cited “10 VAR decisions which haven’t gone our way” since he took charge.
He hinted at an agenda against his side, claiming the decisions are “becoming ridiculous”.
West Ham moved up to 10th place after the win having picked up maximum points in three of their last five games.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider‘s Connor Whitley: “I think the first one shouldn’t have been given.
“Handball is handball, at the end of the day. But the second one was a definite penalty.
“Players have got to switch on a bit more. When you’re in the box, just don’t dive in. If you can’t get there, just don’t slide in.
“These players have got to learn how to defend smarter and better now.
“The first one is a definite handball. It should have been a free-kick to Bournemouth. It’s frustrating for a manager like Gary O’Neil.
“It shows that VAR is not always right.”
In other news, pundit claims Lucas Paqueta may have ulterior motive amid “unprecedented” West Ham injury reveal.