Ex-PGMOL chief makes his feelings clear over controversial Callum Wilson goal vs Tottenham
Callum Wilson scored a perfectly good goal against Tottenham despite calls to rule out West Ham’s winner on Saturday.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Guglielmo Vicario only has himself to blame for the winner on 17 January.
Football Insider understands that Tottenham are planning to replace Vicario, who continues to make mistakes in between the sticks, and did so too against the Hammers.
It was a relegation six-pointer at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Thomas Frank under growing pressure in North London, and his side threw away all three points at the death.
Guglielmo Vicario makes a mess as Callum Wilson scores the winner
Ollie Scarles delivered a dangerous ball into the penalty area in the third minute of added time, causing an absolute commotion in the six-yard area, and was finally punished by exit-bound Wilson.
Reacting to the incident, both Tim Sherwood and Mike Dean were certain that the goal should not be disallowed, but Spurs fans were incensed by the decision, not just from Jarred Gillett, but also from VAR.
Despite a check on the goal, the Hammers’ celebrations were not cut short, sealing their first league win away from home since August, when they beat Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Nuno Espirito Santo remains West Ham boss, at least for another game, and he will thank his lucky stars that the officials did not bow down to the goalkeeper’s shouts for a foul on the goal line.
Keith Hackett lauds the officials for West Ham goal
Understandably, the Lilywhites wanted the goal ruled out, with many taking to social media to blast the officials, but the former head of the PGMOL was not having any of the criticism.
Hackett, exclusively speaking to Football Insider on The Final Whistle, said: “The referee got this one right, believe it or not. I think it’s pretty poor goalkeeping. Effectively, he’s gone for the ball, missed it, so it’s a good decision.”
It is unknown whether Frank will be in charge for much longer, but Spurs certainly need a plan in place, with their next game against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday, 20 January.
Wilson’s winning goal would have been a dagger through the heart for the former Brentford boss, but he has no leg to stand on should he blame the officials for his side’s defeat at home.