Exclusive: Hackett reacts to Jarrod Bowen penalty claim in West Ham vs Brentford. West Ham fans would have expected to be given a penalty for a foul on Jarrod Bowen during his side’s defeat to Brentford, Keith Hackett has said.
But the former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that a coming together with Keane Lewis-Potter inside the area was part of football being a contact sport and he was rightly denied a penalty. Bowen has endured significant West Ham injury problems for West Ham this season, which kept him out for several weeks earlier in the campaign.
When he has been fit and available though, Bowen has often made some key contributions for West Ham to help keep them clear of the relegation zone.
However, he was unable to make the difference for Graham Potter’s side on Saturday (15 February) as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Brentford at the London Stadium.
Jarrod Bowen denied penalty as West Ham beaten
In the end, Kevin Schade’s goal just four minutes into the game was enough to secure all three points for Brentford against West Ham.
That result means it is now four games without a win for the Hammers, who are still waiting to really hit top form since the appointment of Potter last month.
Bowen himself was left disappointed not to earn his side the chance to equalise from the penalty spot late in the game. After breaking into the area with the ball at his feet, the winger went down under pressure from Lewis-Potter as the two battled for cotrol.
That led to penalty appeals from Bowen and some of his West Ham teammates, while Lewis-Potter attempted to dismiss those claims.
Referee Darren England would ultimately side with the Brentford player, with VAR not overruling that verdict, and Hackett believes the right decision was reached.
Keith Hackett reacts to West Ham penalty claim
Speaking to Football Insider about those calls for a penalty for the Hammers, the former referee said:
“I think the very reason that VAR didn’t come in is on the basis that it’s a referee’s call and he makes the judgement.
Keith Hackett Jarrod Bowen West Ham Brentford penalty claim. “It is six of one and half a dozen of the other, and football’s a contact. If I was a West Ham fan I’d expect a penalty kick.
“But I’m not and therefore I think we go with the referee’s call on that one, I think he’s got it right.”
Following that result, West Ham – whose fans were at least impressed by the debut performance of Evan Ferguson in that match – sit 16th in the Premier League table, ten points clear of the bottom three.
Brentford meanwhile occupy 11th in the current standings, as they enjoy another solid season under Thomas Frank.
