The Gunners ran out resounding winners at the London Stadium (30 November) with Gabriel Magalhaes heading home a 10th-minute opener from an Arsenal corner.
However, there was a bone of contention with Lucas Paqueta seemingly pushed in the back by Jurrien Timber as the ball was floated in.
Former Premier League and FIFA official Hackett was baffled that the goal was not ruled out.
Speaking to West Ham Zone, he said: “The opening Arsenal goal should have been ruled out.
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“There was a clear push on the front post by the Arsenal player (Timber) on his opponent.”
West Ham hard done by early on versus Arsenal
Danny Murphy alluded to the fact he also thought a foul should have been given when speaking on Match of the Day (30 November, 16:10).
“There you see the push, Timber on Paqueta, I think on another day they get that. I think it’s a 50-50, I think sometimes the referees will be looking out for that,” he said.
It certainly did not help the Hammers’ cause in a game where remarkably all seven goals came in a frenetic first half in which the game got away from the Irons.
The likelihood is it would not have made too much of a difference and Hackett also added that there were no bones of contention about either of the two penalties awarded against Julen Lopetegui’s side.
London Stadium, home of West Ham United
London Stadium, home of West Ham United
Still, had a foul been given then maybe the first domino that fell in an abysmal display of defending in the first half might have wobbled for just a bit longer.
All any fan really asks for is a bit of consistency and with the amount of intervention over these things nowadays there’s no reason at all for it to be missed.
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