Jarrod Bowen Mendy VARGetty Images

Explained: Why did VAR controversially cancel West Ham's late equaliser against Chelsea?

  • Mendy struck by Bowen's cleat as he tried to clear
  • Goalkeeper stayed down as Maxwel Cornet put ball in net
  • David Moyes furious with overturned equaliser

WHAT HAPPENED? West Ham were controversially denied a point at Stamford Bridge when Maxwel Cornet's late strike was called off. Referees deemed that Bowen had fouled Mendy in the build-up - but the Hammers strongly disagreed. The Blues held on to win 2-1.

WHAT THEY SAID: West Ham boss Moyes was outraged by the decision, saying after the game: "You have seen it, it is a scandalous decision, absolutely rotten from one of the supposedly elite referees - it doesn't say much about whoever sent him over from VAR as well - it is an unbelievable decision against us."

Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel believes it was the right call, as he told BBC Sport: "We were lucky today to get the VAR decision in our favour, which was for me the correct decision. We want to turn the game around and keep the three points."

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THE BIGGER PICTURE: Chelsea were spared another disappointing result after their mid-week defeat against Southampton. They trailed 1-0 to West Ham but turned things around through Ben Chilwell and Kai Havertz.

STORY IN THREE PHOTOS:

Cornet celebrateGetty ImagesRice Bowen VARGetty ImagesKai Havertz Chelsea West Ham 2022-23Getty Images

DID YOU KNOW? Moyes has still never won a match at Stamford Bridge in his managerial career.

WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA? The Blues begin their Champions League campaign on Tuesday against Dinamo Zagreb.

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