Chelsea and West Ham’s 2022 clash ended in controversy as VAR ruled out a crucial goal. Was it a fair decision, or did West Ham suffer an injustice?
Chelsea vs. West Ham (2022) – The Disallowed Goal That Sparked Controversy
The Premier League is no stranger to controversial refereeing decisions, but few have sparked as much outrage as the disallowed West Ham goal against Chelsea in 2022.
A game filled with drama, intensity, and high stakes took an unexpected turn when West Ham’s late equalizer was ruled out by VAR in a decision that left fans, players, and pundits questioning the credibility of modern officiating.
This match became a prime example of how VAR has changed football, for better or worse. But was the decision fair? Or did West Ham suffer a massive injustice? Let’s take a closer look.
1. The Background – A London Derby with High Stakes
The Chelsea vs. West Ham rivalry is one of the most heated London derbies in English football.
West Ham, under David Moyes, had been pushing for European football, while Chelsea, managed by Thomas Tuchel, was striving to remain competitive at the top of the league.
When these two teams met at Stamford Bridge on September 3, 2022, both needed points. Chelsea was under pressure after an inconsistent start to the season, while West Ham wanted to continue their strong performances against big clubs.
What followed was a game full of tension, but the major talking point came in the dying moments.
2. The Controversial Incident – West Ham’s Disallowed Goal
With Chelsea leading 2-1 in the final minutes, West Ham launched an attack.
What happened?
✅ West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen chased a loose ball inside Chelsea’s penalty area
✅ Chelsea’s goalkeeper, Édouard Mendy, rushed out but failed to collect the ball cleanly
✅ The ball fell to Maxwel Cornet, who smashed it into the net for what seemed to be a dramatic equalizer
✅ However, the referee was called over to the VAR monitor
✅ After reviewing the footage, the goal was disallowed for an alleged foul on Mendy by Bowen
West Ham fans and players were left furious. The decision was met with boos from the away supporters, while Chelsea breathed a sigh of relief.
3. Was It Really a Foul? The Debate Over VAR’s Role
The key question that dominated discussions after the match was: Was it really a foul?
Arguments for the Decision
🔵 Chelsea’s Perspective:
- Mendy appeared to have been clipped by Bowen before the goal
- The contact prevented Mendy from recovering to stop the shot
- VAR officials decided it was enough of a foul to disallow the goal
Arguments Against the Decision
⚒ West Ham’s Perspective:
- Bowen’s contact with Mendy was minimal at best
- Mendy had already fumbled the ball before Bowen’s movement
- The goalkeeper’s reaction seemed exaggerated, influencing the referee
- Similar incidents had been ignored in previous matches, raising questions about VAR consistency
Even neutral fans and pundits felt the decision was harsh, with some calling it one of the worst VAR calls of the season.
4. Reactions from Players, Managers, and Pundits
The decision was met with widespread criticism, with both West Ham’s David Moyes and Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel reacting strongly.
David Moyes (West Ham Manager)
Moyes was furious after the match, stating:
“It was a scandalous decision, absolutely ridiculous. The referee should have stuck with his original call.”
He believed VAR over-analyzed the incident and made an unnecessary intervention.
Declan Rice (West Ham Captain)
West Ham midfielder Declan Rice also took to social media to express his frustration:
“That’s one of the worst VAR decisions I’ve ever seen. Shocking.”
Thomas Tuchel (Chelsea Manager at the Time)
Interestingly, even Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel admitted they were fortunate:
“I thought the goal would stand. We got lucky, to be honest.”
When even the opposing team’s manager admits the call was questionable, it raises serious concerns about VAR’s effectiveness.
Gary Neville (Former Player and Sky Sports Pundit)
Football pundit Gary Neville also criticized the decision, calling it:
“Another example of VAR overcomplicating things.”
He, along with other analysts, demanded changes to how VAR is used in the Premier League.
5. The Bigger Problem – VAR’s Consistency Issues
This wasn’t the first time VAR had caused controversy in the Premier League, and it certainly wasn’t the last.
Recurring Issues with VAR:
⚠️ Inconsistency in Decision-Making – Similar incidents often result in different outcomes, frustrating fans and managers alike.
⚠️ Slow Decision Process – Fans hate waiting several minutes for overanalyzed decisions.
⚠️ Referees’ Over-Reliance on VAR – Some referees now hesitate to make bold calls on their own.
The Premier League promised VAR would make the game fairer, but incidents like this have damaged trust in officiating.
6. What Needs to Change in VAR?
After several high-profile mistakes, many football experts have suggested improvements for VAR:
✅ Clearer Guidelines – Define exactly what constitutes a foul in goal-scoring situations.
✅ More Transparency – Broadcast live referee conversations, like in rugby.
✅ Faster Decisions – Reduce delays that kill the flow of the game.
✅ Accountability for Referees – Poor decisions should be explained after matches.
Fans don’t mind VAR when it gets things right, but when it incorrectly overturns goals, it creates anger and frustration.
7. Final Thoughts – Did West Ham Get Robbed?
Looking back, it’s clear that West Ham was extremely unlucky.
Even though Chelsea won the match 2-1, the disallowed goal remains one of the most debated refereeing decisions of the season.
⚽ Did VAR make the right call?
💬 Some believe Mendy was fouled, while others think it was a natural coming together.
One thing is for sure—this decision will be remembered for years, and it has added to the long list of VAR controversies in the Premier League.
Join the Discussion – Football Fans Unite!
Football is full of passion, drama, and debate. Whether you agree or disagree with VAR’s decisions, one thing is clear—controversy is part of the game!
⚡ What do you think about VAR in the Premier League?
⚡ Should the West Ham goal have stood?
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