Specsavers and Andrea Radrizzani weigh in on VAR call during Leeds United's FA Cup defeat at West Ham

Specsavers have weighed in with a conclusive verdict on Manuel Lanzini's highly controversial West Ham opener in Sunday's 2-0 victory against visiting Leeds United in the FA Cup third round.
By Lee Sobot
Published 9th Jan 2022, 19:25 BST
Updated 9th Jan 2022, 19:28 BST
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Marcelo Bielsa's Whites fell behind in the 34th minute but in extremely contentious fashion as Lanzini converted from a goalmouth scramble but only after a crucial intervention from Jarrod Bowen who had been in an offside position.

The danger began as Nikola Vlasic turning Whites debutante Leo Hjelde before making his way towards goal but Hjelde produced a fine block, after which Whites 'keeper Illan Meslier looked to gather the loose ball.

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But Vlasic and then Bowen both got in the 'keeper's way and made slight touches before Lanzini thumped home a low finish in what was by then a goalmouth scramble.

Bowen had been in an offside position before blocking Meslier's path but Stuart Attwell allowed the goal to stand and VAR also opted against disallowing the strike, despite a lengthy look.

The goal set the Hammers on their way to a 2-0 victory but injured Whites captain Liam Cooper quickly took to social media after the incident to label the decision a "shambles."

Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani also said the incident was "very clear to everyone" in a post on social media and even Specsavers chimed in with a reply to a Tweet from talkSPORT.

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talkSPORT posted a clip of the goal and asked 'should West Ham's goal have been disallowed for offside?' to which the official Specsavers Twitter account replied "depends if you're wearing a blindfold or not."

CONTENTIOUS: West Ham's opening goal in Sunday's FA Cup clash against Leeds United via Manuel Lanzini is allowed to stand after a check from VAR. Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images.CONTENTIOUS: West Ham's opening goal in Sunday's FA Cup clash against Leeds United via Manuel Lanzini is allowed to stand after a check from VAR. Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images.
CONTENTIOUS: West Ham's opening goal in Sunday's FA Cup clash against Leeds United via Manuel Lanzini is allowed to stand after a check from VAR. Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images.

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Related topics:Andrea RadrizzaniVARSpecsaversJarrod Bowen