Why West Ham were awarded a penalty that surprised even their players against Manchester United

Manchester United lost to West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday following a controversial late penalty call.

The Red Devils squandered a number of good chances in the first-half at the London Stadium, with Diogo Dalot’s miss perhaps the worst of the bunch.

Dalot had rounded goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski after latching onto a fine ball from Bruno Fernandes but fired high and wide from relatively close range.

Ultimately, the Hammers improved after the break and looked good value for their 2-1 victory on Sunday.

Crysencio Summerville opened the scoring just after the 70-minute mark and while Casemiro would respond not long after, a late spot-kick scored by Jarrod Bowen sealed a vital three points for the hosts.

Drama: De Ligt was punished for a late foul on Ings by VAR (REUTERS)

Matthijs De Ligt challenged Danny Ings in the United box towards the closing stages of the game and while it was ignored by on-field referee David Coote, a VAR review was recommended.

The decision not to award a penalty was then overturned, with a statement from the Premier Legue’s Match Centre confirming: “The referee did not award a penalty to West Ham for a challenge by de Ligt on Ings. The VAR deemed there was sufficient contact on Ings’ lower leg and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned his original decision and awarded a penalty.”

#WHUMUN – 87’ VAR OVERTURN

The referee did not award a penalty to West Ham for a challenge by de Ligt on Ings. The VAR deemed there was sufficient contact on Ings’ lower leg and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned his original decision and awarded a penalty.

— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) October 27, 2024

United boss Erik ten Hag fumed at the decision, slamming it as the “wrong call”, while even Bowen admitted he initially did not think it was a penalty.

“At the time, I saw [Danny] Ings got kicked and I think they got kicked so I thought it wasn't a penalty,” he told Premier League Productions.

“I had a feeling it might get given and then Cre [Summerville] had the ball and it was a waiting game.”

Summerville, meanwhile, admitted he was “surprised” at the decision.

“I'm surprised because we played on,” he told BBC Match of the Day.

“I tried to distract them as though I was going to take it, but it was a long wait. The win was much needed for our confidence."