5 of the most controversial VAR calls of 2020 so far | Premier League 2019-20

#2 Glenn Murray’s dodgy goal allowed – West Ham vs Brighton, 1st February 2020

Glenn Murray's goal against West Ham was strangely allowed despite a clear handball

David Moyes’ West Ham must’ve figured they had 3 points in the bag when they took a two-goal lead against Brighton at the London Stadium on February 1st, especially when Robert Snodgrass almost immediately gave them a third goal after an Angelo Ogbonna own goal pulled one back for the Seagulls early in the second half.

A goal from Pascal Gross showed that Graham Potter’s side weren’t quite done, though, and then just minutes later, it looked like Brighton had an equaliser when Glenn Murray fired in from close range. It came as no surprise, though, when the goal was disallowed; a replay seemed to confirm that the veteran striker had controlled the ball with his right hand.

In a truly crazy call, though – despite the laws of the game supposedly stating that any contact between the ball and a forward’s hand would mean a disallowed goal – VAR overruled referee Michael Oliver and allowed the goal to stand.

Moyes somehow didn’t seem too aggrieved with VAR after the game – he was more angry with his players – but he probably should’ve made more fuss, especially as similar goals such as Gabriel Jesus’ against Tottenham earlier in the season had been ruled out.