Ex-Premier League referee calls Man Utd penalty decision ‘one of the worst ever seen’

Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett declared West Ham’s decisive late penalty against Manchester United as ‘one of the worst decisions’ he has ever seen.

After missing a series of gilt-edged chances, particularly in the first half, United looked likely to pay for their profligacy when Crysencio Summerville prodded the hosts into a 78th-minute lead.

Erik ten Hag’s side rallied and looked to have salvaged a point when Casemiro headed United back on terms with nine minutes remaining but eventually fell to a last-gasp defeat, albeit in hugely contentious circumstances.

Initially deeming little wrong with Matthijs De Ligt’s challenge on Danny Ings, referee David Coote was ordered to take a second look by Michael Oliver and subsequently reversed his decision.

Jarrod Bowen stepped up, kept his composure and beat Andre Onana from the spot to seal a much-needed win for the Hammers who have made an underwhelming start to life under Julen Lopetegui.

While the Premier League Match Centre account on X said there was ‘sufficient contact on Ings’ lower leg’ to overturn the on-field decision, former referee Hackett was left bemused by the decision.

‘The decision is one of the worst I have ever seen. Matthijs de Ligt did not foul Danny Ings,’ he told The Telegraph.

‘I am struggling to even put this into words. It is bizarre – I am stunned. Actually, it is worse than bizarre. A park referee would not even give this as a penalty. Ten Hag has every right to be furious.

‘It is not a clear and obvious error for David Coote to give no penalty. What on earth has Michael Oliver even seen, as the VAR?

‘It goes back to what I have spoken about in the past, about referees and hierarchy. Everyone says Oliver is the No 1 referee in the country, and Coote is probably eight, nine or 10 in the list.

‘I am not saying he is subservient, that would be the wrong choice of words, but is Coote essentially just taking Oliver’s word for it? Is he working on a preconceived idea that Oliver must be right all the time?

‘[It was] a nonsensical decision – which could have major implications.’

Asked about the incident after the game, a frustrated Erik ten Hag said:  ‘It was so difficult to see. Before the season there was the instruction about VAR only interfering in clear and obvious mistakes. That is definitely not a clear and obvious mistake from the on-field referee.

‘More frustrations but I can do nothing with that. They don’t collect points and that’s what we have to do. We have to look in the mirror, we don’t score in a good game from our side. Create loads of chances and concede none but when you lose in this way it’s a bad feeling.’

‘I spoke with them,’ he added when asked if he had spoken to the officials. ‘But the decision is made. There’s no way back and that’s football. That’s a third time I have felt injustice in the season and it has a big impact on our team and on our scores and where we are in the table. It’s not right.’

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