‘That was a foul!’: Robbie Savage insists AZ Alkmaar’s opening goal against West Ham should have been RULED OUT for a ‘clear push’ on Lucas Paqueta in the build-up to Tijjani Reijnders’ strike
- Reijnders gave AZ Alkmaar the lead in the first half with a strike from distane
- Lucas Paqueta was pushed in the build-up to the goal but the referee played on
- West Ham players protested by the goal was allowed to stand in the first leg
Robbie Savage has insisted AZ Alkmaar’s opening goal against West Ham should have been ruled out.
Tijjani Reijnders gave the Dutch side a shock lead towards the end of the first half in the Conference League semi-final first leg, firing in from distance to break the deadlock, before the Hammers came back to win 2-1.
The visitors had controlled the majority of the game, though West Ham had the best chances, with Matt Ryan saving from Said Benrahma and Lucas Paqueta heading into Ryan’s arms from close range.
Reijnders’ effort was the first goal of the game however, and was given after a lengthy VAR check for a potential foul on Paqueta by Sam Beukema in the build-up to the goal.
Savage, on commentary for BT Sport during the game, insisted the strike should have been chalked off for the push.
Robbie Savage has insisted that Tijjani Reijnders’ goal against West Ham should have been ruled out
Lucas Paqueta appeared to have been pushed in the build-up to the goal in London
West Ham’s players protested the decision, but referee Halil Umut Meler allowed the goal to stand
‘That was a foul! It was!’ Savage insisted. ‘For me, I don’t know how far he can go back, but it’s a clear push.’
Carlton Cole and Joe Cole on punditry, however, weren’t in agreement with Savage.
‘It’s a hard one,’ said Carlton. ‘If you look at it from another angle I don’t think he puts enough on him to react like that.
‘That’s probably what the referee saw. I think he was trying to buy that.
Joe Cole added: ‘You try and buy it as a forward. The referee had made a call. It wasn’t enough of a mistake to change it and there was enough time for it to be rectified from West Ham’s perspective.’
West Ham players complained to referee Halil Umut Meler, but the goal was allowed to stand.
Savage insisted after the replay that Alphonse Areola in the West Ham goal should have saved the effort, which squeezed in despite the Frenchman getting down to the effort.
Savage (pictured) went onto single out Alphonse Areola for failing to save the effort
Carlton Cole (left) and Joe Cole (right), meanwhile, admitted the potential foul was soft
The midfielder shot after Tomas Soucek failed to close him down, and wheeled off in celebration when the ball hit the back of the net.
‘They will check it… it’s good build up play and the strike, the goalkeeper has to do better,’ Savage said. ‘Does it take a slight deflection? It’s a long way out.
‘He has to do better. On this occasion he can’t keep it out. Similar save at the opposite end, a more difficult one.’
Fans on social media echoed Savage’s calls as they expressed their frustrations with Areola’s efforts.
‘Areola simply isn’t good enough. Just like the overall performance so far,’ said one frustrated supporter on Twitter.
‘Poor from Areola,’ said another fan, opting to focus on the goalkeeping rather than the potential foul.
‘Not taking our chances not making the most of the atmosphere,’ added a third. ‘These lot are really playing a good game against us. Not as easy as some thought hey.’
