Two West Ham stalwarts had contrasting views over a key flashpoint in the Hammers’ 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Monday night.
Academy product Declan Rice was adamant in his disagreement with centre-half Angelo Ogbonna over whether the defender was fouled in the build-up to Villa striker Ollie Watkins’ disallowed last-gasp goal.
Speaking in his interview on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, the West Ham on-field captain admitted that he ‘didn’t really see a foul’ on his centre-back team-mate due as Ogbonna appeared to have had his arms enveloping and thus impeding Ollie Watkins.
Aston Villa were left reeling after the late drama created a sense of aggrievement over the use of VAR after the technology ruled in the Hammers’ favour. David Moyes’ side moved up to fifth place in the league after the narrow victory.
Rice contradicted the perspective of Ogbonna after the match, saying:
Matty Targett’s whipped in a great cross and luckily enough Ollie Watkins is offside. It’s small margins.
Angelo was certain it was a foul. I didn’t really see a foul, so to get the offside and so late on. I thought it was an equaliser, so to come away with the three points. I think we have to be happy.
All the players were having a discussion on the pitch that the longer it takes, it seems at though the decision is always going to go the other way and it’s going to be overruled.
Read West Ham Verdict
Whilst the VAR controversy undoubtedly overshadowed the game, it was interesting to see two teammates have opposing views on such a crucial incident.
Whilst little could be done retrospectively, Rice’s comments may end up stirring the indignation of Villa fans even further. The Irons faithful may well be just glad that they came out on the right side of such tight calls.
