‘I don’t see the point’ – Richard Keys rages at West Ham vs Burnley controversies
West Ham and Burnley supporters faced the frustration of VAR intervention as the Hammers claimed a 3-2 win at the London Stadium.
Niclas Fullkrug has picked up another long-term injury, giving Callum Wilson the perfect chance to prove himself as the lone striker, and it was the former Newcastle United man who equalised on Saturday, 8 November.
Zian Flemming is known for his rash challenges, picking up a yellow card in the second half, but the Dutchman had already hit the back of the net before goals from Tomas Soucek and Kyle Walker-Peters sealed all three points.
Liam Cullen scored in the seventh minute of added time, but it was nothing more than a consolation goal.
Supporters were protesting against Karren Brady and David Sullivan ahead of kick-off, but it was the use of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) that Richard Keys was protesting against during the game.
Richard Keys hits out at semi-automated offside technology at the London Stadium
Supporters were left waiting to celebrate after both first-half goals were checked for offside by VAR, and many have taken issue with the process, as well as the wait time at the London Stadium.
Taking to X (8 November), Keys wrote: “We need to see these graphics directly in line – across the pitch – as we do in the Champions League. I don’t see the point of this. How can we be sure these are accurate?”
Multiple referees have faced criticism so far this season, with Keith Hackett taking real issue with Chris Kavanagh, especially, but the use of SAOT added yet more frustration to the situation.
The use of VAR and extra technology appears to always work more smoothly in the Champions League and Europa League, and some fans are calling for it to be removed altogether due to constant mistakes.
West Ham take important step away from Premier League relegation battle
Soucek nearly left West Ham in the summer, but the midfielder has now come up with important goals in consecutive games, also scoring in the 3-1 win over Newcastle.
While Nuno Espirito Santo has not yet led the Hammers out of the Premier League relegation zone, they are in touching distance of getting out of danger, with the Clarets only above on goal difference.
Jarrod Bowen was unusually quiet, but it was absolutely vital that other players got their shooting boots on to help the England international when he wasn’t at his very best.
Even Walker-Peters got himself on the scoresheet, with just a few minutes left on the clock, capitalising on a mistake from goalkeeper Martin Dubravka to seal the victory.