In a dramatic finish to the Premier League match between West Ham and Manchester United, a controversial VAR decision awarded a stoppage-time penalty to West Ham. Referee David Coote initially did not award the penalty, but after VAR suggested an on-field review, the decision was overturned, causing outrage among United players and manager Erik ten Hag. Defender Matthijs de Ligt argued that there was minimal contact with substitute Danny Ings and even claimed the ball hit Ings' hand first, but the penalty stood, leading to West Ham's 2-1 victory. The Premier League has since explained their decision, citing sufficient contact on Ings' lower leg.
In a highly-anticipated Premier League clash on Sunday, March 5th, 2023, a controversial VAR decision overshadowed West Ham United's 2-1 home victory over Manchester United.
Background
The incident occurred in the dying minutes of the match with West Ham clinging onto a narrow 1-0 lead. Substitute Danny Ings received a pass inside the penalty area and went down under a challenge from United defender Matthijs de Ligt. Referee David Coote initially deemed the contact insufficient to award a penalty, but VAR intervened and recommended an on-field review.
After a lengthy consultation, Coote overturned his original decision and pointed to the spot. West Ham striker Michail Antonio stepped up and coolly converted the penalty, securing a dramatic victory for the hosts.
United's Outrage
The decision sparked immediate outrage among United players and manager Erik ten Hag. De Ligt vehemently protested the call, arguing that Ings had initiated the contact and that the ball had hit his hand first. Ten Hag labeled the decision "embarrassing" and accused VAR of "ruining the game."
Premier League Explanation
The Premier League has since issued a statement explaining their decision, stating that there was "sufficient contact on Ings' lower leg" to justify awarding the penalty. They also clarified that the VAR review process is independent and that the on-field referee has the final say on all decisions.
Top 5 FAQs
Why did VAR intervene in the decision?
What did the VAR official see that the referee missed?
Was Ings' handball a factor in the decision?
Why was Manchester United so upset?
What impact will this decision have on the Premier League?
Conclusion
The controversial VAR decision at the end of the West Ham vs Manchester United match has sparked significant discussion and debate. While West Ham celebrated a hard-fought victory, United will be left rueing the decision that cost them a point. The Premier League's explanation has attempted to clarify the decision-making process, but the controversy is likely to continue as the season progresses.
Ahead of Game 3 of the Lakers' first-round playoff series and their first road game of the postseason against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Lakers coach JJ Redick shared his thoughts on the experience of playing in hostile environments. He described the thrill of silencing and even ruining the day of opposing fans who pay top dollar to watch their team, and the satisfaction that comes with winning on the road in the playoffs. Redick, known for his competitive and relentless nature, emphasized the unique allure of such moments outside of potentially winning a championship.
It was a historic night at Chepauk, as Sunrisers Hyderabad finally defeated Chennai Super Kings at their home ground after six failed attempts. CSK's fortress is now crumbling, with four home losses this season which matches their worst record in 2008 and 2012. SRH's win was fueled by a spectacular catch from Kusal Mendis, which turned the game in their favor and left CSK struggling for any hope of making it to the playoffs. Meanwhile, MS Dhoni's quest to create history in the CSK vs SRH match remained unfulfilled as SRH came out victorious.
Deepak Hooda, who was bought by CSK for INR 1.7 crore at the IPL 2024 mega auction, drew criticism from fans for his sluggish knock of 22 runs off 21 balls in their IPL 2025 match against SRH. This was following his poor performance in the previous three games for the team. Despite his overall record of 1494 runs in the IPL, Hooda's strike rate and consistency have been questioned by fans. Meanwhile, Harshal Patel's 4/28 helped SRH restrict CSK to 154, with debutants Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre contributing 42 and 30 runs, respectively.
In a thrilling IPL match, Sunrisers Hyderabad registered their first victory at the Chepauk by defeating Chennai Super Kings by five wickets. Harshal Patel's four-wicket haul and Ishan Kishan's fighting knock of 44 led the Sunrisers to victory. Captain Pat Cummins was relieved after the win and praised the team's clinical bowling performance. CSK could only manage 154 runs, thanks to brisk knocks from Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre, and SRH easily chased down the target, fixing their poor record against CSK.
Former AEW star returns to WWE after four years, making an impressive and impactful entrance during SmackDown. After being released by WWE in 2021, Black debuted in AEW as Malakai Black and gained popularity with the fan-favorite faction, House of Black. Now, Black is back in WWE and fans are excited to see what he can bring to the ring.
Indian Olympic javelin champion, Neeraj Chopra, defends his decision to invite Pakistani athlete, Arshad Nadeem, to compete in the upcoming NC Classic event in India. Despite receiving backlash and even threats towards himself and his family, Chopra stands by his invitation and expresses disappointment in the doubting of his loyalty and integrity to his country. He also voices his thoughts and prayers for the victims of a recent terrorist attack in Kashmir.
Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has faced criticism and hate for inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru. Neeraj clarified that the invitation was sent before the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and was solely based on Arshad's status as an Olympic gold medallist. He also stated that, in light of the tragedy, Arshad's participation in the event was no longer possible.
After a string of home defeats, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally emerged victorious at the Chinnaswamy Stadium against the Rajasthan Royals, thanks to their captain Virat Kohli and a strong bowling unit. Kohli's unbeaten 70 runs and intense celebrations on the field reflected the high-stakes nature of the match, which saw both teams giving it their all. With this win, RCB moves up to the third spot on the league table with six wins in nine games.
India's star javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra, has spoken up about the criticism he received for inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to compete in the Neeraj Chopra Classic event. Despite declining the invitation, Nadeem's presence at the event was deemed inappropriate following the recent terror attacks in Pahalgam. Chopra clarified that the invitation was sent well before the attacks and expressed his love for his country and family amidst the backlash. He also addressed the false narratives being spread about him and his family and vowed to continue representing India with pride and integrity.
Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood's brilliant performance against Rajasthan Royals' batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal caught the attention of viewers during an IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals. In an intense competition, Hazlewood was able to dismiss Jaiswal just shy of a half-century, leading to a heated exchange between the two players. Hazlewood's final figures of 4 for 33 played a critical role in RCB's narrow 11-run victory.