VAR takes its time to deny Hammers at the death

West Ham, denied two goals by technology ruling handball, could be far more frustrated.

West Ham United manager David Moyes addresses referee Jarred Gillett.

After Tottenham’s pain, only a slight gain for Aston Villa. Though perhaps a draw and a three-point advantage over their fellow Champions League chasers will eventually prove enough when a first defeat in London under Unai Emery had beckoned.

Nicolò Zaniolo crashed home Villa’s equaliser from Moussa Diaby’s cross. Emery’s in-game management rescuing a point and, at the final whistle, the overriding emotion was relief for Villa and rage from the home fans at the final twist in the tale. Within injury time, it took five minutes and 37 seconds of VAR deliberation – the longest yet in the Premier League – in consultation with Jarred Gillett, the referee, to rule out a late winner from Tomas Soucek for a handball.