Arsenal took a significant step towards securing the Premier League title with a dramatic 1-0 win at West Ham on Sunday, aided by a contentious VAR decision deep into stoppage time. The victory moves Mikel Arteta’s side five points clear of Manchester City with just two matches remaining.
Arteta Praises 'Brave' Officials for VAR Call
Mikel Arteta hailed the match officials for overturning an “obvious error” after Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal the lead with seven minutes left. West Ham thought they had snatched a point when Callum Wilson scored in stoppage time, but referee Chris Kavanagh, after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor following a VAR check, disallowed the goal, ruling that Pablo Felipe had fouled Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya. Arteta said: “It was a call from the ref that is very brave, but very consistent with what they've been talking about all season. When I have to be critical, I have been. And today I have to praise them, at least for giving the option to a referee to decide, away from the lights and the chaos, to give clarity to him to make the right call. And when you look at the action in that way, it is an obvious error.”
'Biggest VAR Moment in History' – Neville
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville described the incident as “probably the biggest moment in VAR history in the Premier League.” Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “This is an earthquake, a tremor of a moment. It is massive. I think it's a foul – but have VAR got the nerve, the guts, the courage to make the decision? This is massive for refereeing in this country. This is too big to get wrong.”
Moyes Sees Europe Slipping Away
Everton manager David Moyes admitted his side’s hopes of European qualification are fading after they twice surrendered the lead to draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Jean-Philippe Mateta equalised for Palace 14 minutes from time. “I'd hoped we can get us to a level where we can be competitive again at European level. It's not gone yet but it's drifting away from us at the moment,” said Moyes. “I'm using the word 'disappointing' again that we couldn't hang on, especially after we went 2-1 up. Our key finishers this season, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Iliman Ndiaye, they're just both going slightly off the ball as far as their finishing goes.”
Runners-Up Rochdale Book EFL Return
Rochdale mounted a dramatic late fightback from 2-0 down to clinch promotion back to the English Football League with a penalty shoot-out victory over Boreham Wood in the National League play-off final at Wembley. Goals from Matt Rush and Abdul Abdulmalik put Boreham Wood in control, but Tyler Smith pulled one back in the 78th minute and Mani Dieseruvwe headed home deep into stoppage time to make it 2-2. After a goalless extra time, Rochdale goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff, on loan from Manchester City, saved penalties from Callum Reynolds and Rush, while Cameron Coxe hit the crossbar, handing Rochdale a 3-1 shootout win.
What's on Today?
Tottenham have the chance to take a huge step towards Premier League safety when they host already-safe Leeds United. A win would put them four points clear of 18th-placed West Ham with two matches left. In the Championship play-off semi-final second leg, Millwall host Hull City with the tie goalless after the first leg.
