Leeds seethe as VAR shatters Cup dream
JUst nine of the 32 FA Cup third-round ties were making use of VAR, inviting questions about the integrity of the competition. this game was one of those that did — and it made little difference in clearing up any controversy. A low-key affair was all but settled by a goal questionably awarded to West Ham despite VAR Peter Bankes and his team having the opportunity to review the incident over and over again. Amid a first-half scramble in the Leeds box, Jarrod Bowen’s intervention from an offside position was overlooked and Manuel Lanzini’s goal was given after a lengthy review.
there was no debate about Bowen’s clinical finish with the last meaningful kick of the game which capped another lively display.
the defining moment, though, was the officials’ debatable first-half call. In the 34th minute, nikola Vlasic gathered Michail Antonio’s cross and wriggled away from Leo Hjelde.
Centre back Hjelde commendably held up Vlasic with a last-ditch tackle and Illan Meslier tried to grab the loose ball but missed. then Junior Firpo attempted to kick it clear but only succeeded in presenting it to Lanzini who gleefully swept in the opener.
While Lanzini ran off celebrating, Leeds protested and, it appeared, with good reason.
Meslier’s effort to tidy up the situation had been hampered by a seemingly offside Bowen, who moved in to try to pounce.
As the VAR check continued, Leeds seemed so certain the goal would be chalked off that Luke Ayling returned the ball from halfway to his goalkeeper to restart the game with a free-kick but, to some surprise, referee stuart Attwell gave the goal. Ultimately, however, West Ham deserved their place in round four.
they named a strong side, despite David Moyes’ annoyance that they are back in Premier League action for the rearranged meeting with norwich on Wednesday.
But decimated Leeds, who also had a late penalty shout ignored when the score was still 1-0, had good grounds to feel aggrieved at the decision that set them on the way to a fifth successive third-round exit.
Missing 10 players including striker Patrick Bamford, Marcelo Bielsa was forced to hand full debuts to Lewis Bate, sam Greenwood and Hjelde — all teenagers — and the opening goal was a tough one to take.
sidelined captain Liam Cooper tweeted: ‘shambles,’ with two angry face emojis. But Bielsa preferred to maintain his position of refusing to criticise officials.
He said: ‘It’s a collaboration us coaches/managers should make to accept the decisions of the referees even if they jeopardise us. the decision to accept the decision helps their job and the spectacle.’
West Ham manager David Moyes said: ‘Maybe it’s a VAR decision that’s gone for us. We’ve had a few recently which we don’t feel have, so we’ll take that one.’
the first half-hour had not been much of an advert for the competition. then came some messy defending from Leeds and the controversial opener. By half-time West Ham’s advantage should have been greater. Antonio fired wide on the stretch and Ryan Fredericks could not apply the finishing touch to a flowing move involving Bowen, who had earlier had an effort cleared off the line.
West Ham had the better openings in the second half before Jack Harrison and Daniel James blew chances to force extra-time for Leeds.
Bowen slipped Antonio’s pass through Meslier’s legs to seal a fourth-round trip to non-League Kidderminster. WEST HAM (4-2-3-1): Areola 7; Fredericks 7, Diop 6.5, Dawson 6.5, Johnson 6.5; RICE 8, Soucek 6; Bowen 8, Lanzini 7 (Fornals 76min), Vlasic 7 (Masuaku 88); Antonio 7.5 (Yarmolenko 95). Booked: Lanzini. Scorers: Lanzini 34, Bowen 90+3. Manager: David Moyes 7. LEEDS UNITED (4-2-3-1): Meslier 7.5; Ayling 6.5 (Forshaw 60, 6), Llorente 6, Hjelde 6.5 (Summerville 78), Firpo 7 (Drameh 68, 6); Koch 6, Bate 6; James 6, Klich 6, Harrison 6; Greenwood 5 (Raphinha 46, 6). Booked: Drameh. Manager: Marcelo Bielsa 5. Referee: Stuart Attwell 5. Attendance: 54,303.