West Ham 0-1 Arsenal: Gary Neville calls decision to disallow Hammers' equaliser 'the biggest moment in VAR history'
Gary Neville has called decision to overturn West Ham's equaliser against Arsenal 'biggest moment in VAR history'; Callum Wilson struck injury-time leveller, awarded by the on-field referee, but was eventually chalked off after lengthy VAR review
Sunday 10 May 2026 23:47, UK
Gary Neville has called the decision to disallow West Ham's 95th-minute equaliser in a 1-0 defeat to Premier League title hopefuls Arsenal the 'biggest moment in VAR history'.
Arsenal were leading 1-0 when Callum Wilson struck a last-gasp leveller, the ball clearly crossing the line despite Declan Rice's best efforts to keep it out. Referee Chris Kavanagh awarded the goal on field.
But the strike did not survive a lengthy VAR process. Kavanagh was sent to the pitchside monitor to review the incident by VAR official Darren England and after 17 replays, totalling four minutes and 17 seconds worth of stoppage, eventually ruled that there had been a foul by Pablo on David Raya.
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"This is an earthquake, a tremor of a moment," Neville said on commentary at the London Stadium.
"Arsenal Football Club's first title in 22 years could rest on this. This is one of those moments where Arsenal might think their name is on the trophy...
"VAR Darren England is the FA Cup referee. He won't face a more pressurised moment than that at Wembley."
The denial of the goal has big ramifications at both ends of the Premier League. Arsenal's fate remains in their hands and they are now two wins away from clinching the title.
Perhaps just as significant, though, is West Ham's predicament at the bottom.
Their 18th loss of the campaign has ensured the safety of both Nottingham Forest and Leeds, meaning their only hope of avoiding the drop now rests on Tottenham taking their place in the relegation zone.
Spurs, who are one point ahead of West Ham, face Leeds on Monday Night Football.
Speaking after the match, Roy Keane added: "The one thing you say when you go up, VAR are going to check everything, do not put your hands on the goalkeeper! Certainly don't leave it on for three or four seconds.
"There is all sorts going on but because the goalkeeper had such a big part to play, I think it is a foul. It was really silly from West Ham. Don't make it such an obvious foul because they are going to check."
Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp also agreed with the decision and said "it was a brave VAR call but it was the right one".
Former Arsenal and West Ham striker Ian Wright said it was "without doubt" the correct decision.
"I think David Raya catches that simply if he's not impeded," Wright said. "You can see it there, pulling him there, and then the arm comes across."
Neville: The drama of all dramas
Elabroating on the dramatic stoppage-time scenes in east London, Neville said he was impressed by England's coomposure in handling the high-pressure scenario.
"For Darren England, it's all eyes on him," Nev said on the Gary Neville podcast. "At the start, we don't know. Was it over the line? That was what I was thinking but it looked over the line and Declan Rice, as it turned out, was way behind the line.
"But then we see obviously a VAR check for a foul on the goalkeeper and I think that's the biggest moment in VAR history in the Premier League.
"There are a lot who aren't fans of VAR, and maybe rightly so, but it could have just made Arsenal champions, and it could have got a decision right that wouldn't have been right.
"I was wondering whether Darren England had the courage, had the nerve to overturn, and what was he going to do in this moment. I have to say we get the luxury, and I wish all fans at home and fans in the stadium got the luxury of being able to hear them, because to be fair he was composed, he was walking through it, he was talking to the referee, he was talking to his colleague who was sat next to him, and he walked through it perfectly.
"He checked everything around it, there was a little foul by Rice behind, I think that was maybe after the Raya foul, and just the fact that Pablo just had his arm there and he wasn't looking at the ball. He wasn't looking to play the ball, and he was looking just to impede the goalkeeper.
"If it's just one of those where you're just going up as a movement, then I think maybe that's something that he would have got away with, but that prolonged lasting arm across Raya, they have to then call it.
"Darren England made the right decision and Arsenal breathe the biggest sigh of relief, probably that those fans have breathed for a long, long time."
Nuno: Referees don't know what a foul is
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo speaking to Sky Sports:
"Due to the circumstances and the way it finished, we are all upset.
"Look, there is a referee and VAR, there is circumstances in the past that have been judged different. Let's not go further than that.
"Due to the recent seasons, it has been happening [similar incidents]. Even the referees don't know what is a foul and what is not a foul, it creates doubt.
"Let's look at the game overall. We made a very good match. Arsenal is a tough team. We lost the game."
Bowen: Raya has to expect contact
West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen also had his say on the incident after the game, claiming goalkeepers get extra protection from officials and that Raya should have been expecting contact from players challenging for the ball.
"Goalkeepers are protected more than outfield players and there is a lot of holding inside the box. Are you going to look at those every time and give a penalty? That is the only way that is the right way to do it.
"You can't wipe a goalkeeper out but the keeper has come in to grab the ball and has to expect contact. It's the Premier League; there is going to be contact.
"I just think if you look at something long enough, you will find something to give.
"I can guarantee that pundits and people watching know football is a physical game. If you're going to give it, give it every week. Where is the line and where is the bar?"
Arteta: I congratulate the referees, it took bravery
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta speaking to Sky Sports:
"I am going to certainly remember this day. It was a rollercoaster of emotions.
"We knew it was going to be tough day; they are fighting for their lives and we are trying to win the Premier League.
"When I had to be critical, I have been. Today I have to congratulate them [the referees]. You need a lot of courage and bravery to stand out and give the opportunity to the referee to have a look at the action.
"When you see the picture, there is no question that it is a clear foul. They were very brave."
