Keith Hackett: Swansea’s winner vs West Brom should’ve been disallowed – this is why
Swansea’s winning goal against West Brom should have been ruled out, Keith Hackett has said.
Ryan Mason‘s side dropped a ninth consecutive loss on the road, which equals a club record set back in 1973.
Jay Fulton struck with a long-range effort in the 74th minute after The Hawthorns outfit had started to put pressure on the hosts.
However, Hackett believes that the strike should not have stood, and the match should have stayed at 0-0.
Why Hackett thinks Swansea goal should have been ruled out against West Brom
West Brom midfielder Ousmane Diakite lost the ball in the build-up to the goal, but Hackett believes that there was a clear foul on the Malian.
Speaking exclusively to West Brom News, he said: “The process of a referee is to see, recognise, think and act.
“West Brom have every right to be aggrieved that the referee failed to recognise this clear foul on their player, this was in the build-up to the Swansea goal.
“Another incident in the Championship where I have no doubt that if VAR was in operation, this clear and obvious error by the Referee would have been rectified and the goal ruled out.
“The question to ask if the EFL is if will we see VAR light in operation in the Championship next season.”
Why West Brom should want VAR in the Championship
The controversy with the Swans goal is not the only recent incident that the Baggies have felt did no go their way.
In West Brom’s Boxing Day loss to Bristol City, Anis Mehmeti’s early strike should have been ruled out as there was a player interfering with play while he was offside.
The Robins hitman should also have been sent off for an elbow on Albion star Callum Styles, but stayed on the pitch.
Therefore, Mason and Co would likely be in favour of the idea of having VAR in the second tier, so that decisions like that and the Swans’ strike could be corrected, rather than standing and going against them.
It is not the only reason for their poor form, but it certainly has not helped.
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