West Ham United's goal against Everton on Saturday could have been ruled out. That's according to former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett.
Tomas Soucek opened the scoring for the Hammers in the second half, extending his excellent goalscoring record at Goodison Park. The Czech Republic international curled a shot into the corner after West Ham countered down the left flank.
Plenty at Goodison were dismayed by a moment earlier on though, when Beto was seemingly pushed by a Hammers defender. Referee Darren Bond did not award a free-kick.
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Speaking to Football Insider, Hackett suggested Everton were unfortunate not to be awarded a foul but he could understand why VAR did not intervene.
"I think we can say that West Ham have gained possession illegally because of that push, but in reviewing that VAR I think is not going to go that far back," he said.
"I think that I have sympathy that there was a push, it's been missed or they've deemed it not sufficient to penalise.
"But I just think that referees at the highest level, they're appearing not to understand what safe refereeing is all about.
"We used to operate with safe refereeing, and that is in that situation, rather than take the chance, give the free-kick, because the opposing team have gained from what is a foul. So there is a push, it is a foul, it's been ignored, it's not acted upon, a goal eventually has resulted from it but I think generally it's too far to go back (for VAR)."
The incident continued a recent theme of frustration with officials at Goodison Park from the home supporters.
In the last two matches - against West Ham and Manchester United - the Blues have had penalties awarded, only for them to be overturned by the VAR official.
