West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan is convinced his side have not enjoyed their share of fortune from referees throughout this season after another controversial decision cost them points last weekend.
Saturday’s 3-3 draw against Arsenal saw an early header from Manuel Lanzini incorrectly ruled out for offside when Hector Bellerin was playing the West Ham midfielder onside. The visitors were to establish a two goal lead soon after, though an Andy Carroll hat-trick secured a point in the two sides’ final meeting at the Boleyn Ground.
The disallowed goal came less than a week after Cheikhou Kouyate had seen red in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, a decision subsequently overturned by the FA. That is the third occasion a decision has been overturned in favour of West Ham this season.
However Sullivan was once more left disappointed that a game involving his side was defined by officials’ decisions, though he made no reference to Craig Pawson’s decision not to send off Carroll for an elbow on Gabriel early in the contest.
“After staging an excellent comeback from two goals down, we all felt a bit disappointed that we could not hold onto the victory and had to settle for a draw,” he said.
“The game could have easily finished 5-3 and yet again big decisions are not going in our favour. It was clear to see that Manuel Lanzini was onside when he put the ball in the net but the assistant referee raised his flag.
“It is supposed to balance out over a season, but it hasn't for us so far. We've had one penalty while Leicester have had eight!”
Speaking after his side’s draw with Arsenal West Ham manager Slaven Bilic refused to blame referees but, writing last week in his Standard Sport column, did call for further use of technology in football.
“The goal-line technology has been a great innovation because without it, if the referee gets it wrong, a manager can get the sack — or a new contract,” he said.
