West Ham 2-2 Burnley
by Paul Donovan
at the London Stadium
WEST HAM were denied by a combination of bad luck and bad refereeing in this hard fought game against Burnley at the London Stadium.
A totally lacklustre first half saw the home team fall behind to a great strike from David Datro Fofana and an own goal from Konstantinos Mavropanos.
James Ward Prowse spurned one chance in front of goal.
After a clear half time rollicking, West Ham were a transformed side. Almost, from the kick off Lucas Paqueta intercepted, breaking free to finish past Burnley keeper James Trafford..
The home side then wasted many chances, whilst Burnley attempted to waste time. Keeper Trafford was the pick of the time wasters but somehow escaped a yellow card.
Among the more blatant misses was Mohammed Kudus, who receiving the ball in space in the area, from Bowen, managed to fire over.
When West Ham did get the ball in the net VAR intervened. A cross in from Paqueta was chested on by Michail Antonio for substitute Danny Ings to slot home. Controversially, Antonio was ruled to be offside by VAR.
Kudus then set up Paqueta, who fired just wide.
One bright spark for West Ham was a glimpse of the real Ings, something rarely seen since his arrival 14 months ago.
Not to be outdone by the referee, Ings received the ball from Kudus, turned and fired home.
More goal mouth incident came in the dying minutes.
A neat Burnley move between Vitinho and Sander Berg, saw the latter fire over.
Meanwhile, Antonio screwed his shot wide, after Bowen laid on the chance.
Ings then saw a shot from the edge of the area bounce back off the bar.
Alphonse Areola then ensured the point, with a brilliant save to deny Burnley.
West Ham were finally denied, when Berg clearly handled, going up with his hands above his head.
Referee Darren England, though, waved play on, whilst VAR remained silent.
West Ham manager, David Moyes was perplexed by the failure to award a penalty for the hand ball. Similarly denied against Freiberg in the Europa League on Thursday, Moyes pointed out that jumping for the ball, the arms are used for leverage. Going up with hands out in front and above your head deserved to be punished when a hand ball occurs.
Moyes praised the players for the way they played in the second half, though felt they were wasteful, given the chances created.
He praised Ings for his technical ability. "Today, he showed what he can do when you get the ball to him around the box," said Moyes.
So, an exciting game ended all square, West Ham left to ponder squandered chances, Burnley how many goals they might have scored with a more positive attitude.
