More controversy over six minute VAR review | West Ham thrown survival lifeline

Tottenham Hotspur fluffed their lines last night against a newly ‘safe’ Leeds United side who grabbed a late equaliser to deny Spurs the three points that looked on the cards after Mathys Tel’s stunning second half strike. West Ham fans feared the worst as temporarily, Spurs’ lead meant their Premier League advantage was boosted to four points over the Hammers which, with two games to play, would have surely sealed the Irons’ fate.

After the controversy at London Stadium on Sunday, it was almost inevitable that VAR would be called into action again. First a Leeds penalty was awarded after Tel’s high boot was deemed a foul: After no less than six minutes of reviewing the incident, Calvert Lewin stepped up and dispatched the spot kick to wipe two points from Spurs’ tally.

Six minute VAR review throws West Ham United a Premier League lifeline

Worse was to follow for the Spuds who were denied their own penalty by VAR after a review when James Maddison went down under the challenge of Lukas Nmecha.

So 1-1 gave Spurs a solitary point and means they now lead the Hammers by two: West Ham are still theoretically in with a chance of overtaking their north London rivals.

The VAR induced frenzy led Tottenham manager De Zerbi to claim that the VAR officials were influenced by the London Stadium controversy, as the standard.co.uk reported:

“Roberto De Zerbi has suggested that the officiating during Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Leeds might have been influenced by the refereeing decisions made during Sunday’s game between West Ham and Arsenal.

“Maybe they suffered the pressure of yesterday the West Ham-Arsenal game and VAR.”

Of course the irony of VAR intervening to keep their opponents within reach will not be lost on West Ham fans who felt their team was denied a crucial point on Sunday: it almost seems as if the VAR gods intervened last night to give it back.

So, all to play for provided the Hammers can bean Newcastle United. Simples.