In a fiery Premier League clash on Sunday, West Ham United had three goals disallowed, including a potential game-winning goal in stoppage time, as Aston Villa fought back to secure a 1-1 draw. Michail Antonio broke the deadlock with a header in the 29th minute, scoring his first goal since August. Despite West Ham finding the net twice more through Mohammed Kudus and Antonio, both goals were ruled out.
Villa, who believed they should have been awarded a penalty for handball before West Ham’s opener, managed to equalize in the 79th minute when Nicolo Zaniolo tapped in a cross from Moussa Diaby after sustained pressure. The visitors, in contention for fourth place against Tottenham Hotspur, were unable to find a winning goal, while West Ham appeared more likely to snatch the victory.
Just when it seemed like James Ward-Prowse had secured the win with a late free kick that was bundled into the net, a VAR check uncovered that the ball had touched Tomas Soucek’s arm before crossing the line. The decision left both sets of fans frustrated and the match ended in a draw.
Villa remains in fourth place with 56 points, three points ahead of fifth-placed Spurs, though they have played an additional game. West Ham sits in seventh with 44 points, trailing sixth-placed Manchester United by three points with a game in hand.
(Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by Clare Fallon)
