Steve Bruce FUMES at the implementation of VAR despite new approach after West Ham were awarded a controversial penalty in Newcastle win
- West Ham were awarded a penalty when scores were level at 2-2 with Newcastle
- Jacob Murphy’s challenge on Pablo Fornals was a foul despite a touch on the ball
- West Ham went on to score the penalty and sealed the points with a 4-2 victory
- Steve Bruce felt that VAR should have got the referee to check his monitor
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce felt his side were on the wrong end of a new approach to VAR after West Ham were awarded a key penalty with the game evenly poised at 2-2.
Bruce felt referee Martin Atkinson should have been encouraged to check his monitor after ruling that Jacob Murphy’s challenge on Pablo Fornals was a foul even though he appeared to get the ball and the Hammers midfielder didn’t appeal.
Although Freddie Woodman saved Michail Antonio’s 63rd-minute spot-kick, Tomas Soucek fired in the rebound and the visitors went on to win 4-2.
Steve Bruce was furious that a penalty decision went against Newcastle with the scores level
The penalty was saved but Tomas Soucek pounced home on the rebound to make it 3-2
The Premier League has been praised for speeding up VAR decisions but Bruce doesn’t want referees to be discouraged from being able to check their own decisions. He said: ‘I can’t understand why the referee can’t look at the monitor himself.
‘If he’d done that, he might have thought the decision was harsh. It was the big turning point.
‘It’s fine margins in the Premier League, I will go and ask the referee why couldn’t he look at the monitor rather than someone 300 miles away.’
Jacob Murphy was judged to have fouled Pablo Fornals as a penalty decision was awarded
VAR stuck with Atkinson’s decision after a check but didn’t suggest the official have a second look himself.
West Ham’s first opening-day win since 2015 was based on energetic performances up front from Said Benrahma and Antonio, who were both on the scoresheet.
Manager David Moyes was also delighted that 3,000 travelling West Ham fans stuck with their team having built up a previous reputation for being critical.
Soucek’s goal put West Ham ahead and they went on to win their opening game 4-2
‘It is great to give our supporters something to shout about and I saw something different from them as well,’ said Moyes.
‘I think they realised how well the team was playing and backed the players all the way. Good on them.
‘I’d love Michail to go and score 15 or 20 goals this season. We are beginning to see more from Said. I liked his goal but his pass for the fourth goal was even better.’