Jarrod Bowen criticises decision to overturn Callum Wilson goal: 'Where's the consistency?'

AFC BournemouthArsenalAston VillaBrentfordBrighton & Hove AlbionBurnleyChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonFulhamLeeds UnitedLiverpoolManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedNottingham ForestSunderlandTottenham HotspurWest Ham UnitedWolverhampton WanderersScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyThe Athletic FC NewsletterPodcastsWest Ham vs. ArsenalEl ClasicoMutinous Mood at LiverpoolMan Utd Have a Lot of Work to DoHow France Won the 2018 World CupPL Title Race West Ham's 1-0 defeat keeps them in the relegation zone, one point behind Spurs. Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images Share articleWest Ham United captain Jarrod Bowen has criticised the decision to overturn Callum Wilson’s goal against Arsenal on Sunday, questioning refereeing “consistency” at corners. Wilson though he had levelled the game at 1-1 in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, firing home on the half-volley after a West Ham corner fell to him. Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya attempted to catch or punch the corner but spilled the ball, with William Saliba’s clearance dropping to Wilson. Raya and other Arsenal players argued that he had been fouled while leaping for the ball. The incident was reviewed by Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Darren England and an on-field review was recommended to match official Chris Kavanagh. After a four-minute delay, Kavanagh announced that West Ham’s Pablo had obstructed Raya with his right arm while challenging for the ball and the goal was disallowed. The goal is ruled out for a foul on David Raya ❌ pic.twitter.com/2rIQaMAffc — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 10, 2026 Arsenal held on to win the match 1-0 and take a huge step towards their first Premier League title since 2004, while West Ham remain in the relegation zone in 18th, one point behind Tottenham Hotspur who face Leeds United on Monday. The defeat meant that Leeds and Nottingham Forest are safe from the drop and that the either West Ham or Spurs will join Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley in the second tier. After the game, Bowen expressed his “frustration” with the VAR decision. “A real blow. We thought we’d done so well to get back in it and had it taken away from us,” the 29-year-old told BBC Sport. “When you look at the screen for five minutes you’ll find something — a lot of grappling and a lot of holding. I’m sure if you look long enough you’ll find something. Do I think it’s the right decision? No. “Where’s the consistency? As a fan you don’t want to celebrate a goal and then wait eight minutes and it’s taken off you. “Corners are physical. The Premier League is physical. That’s why everyone loves it. You have to expect contact at corners. If you give that you have to give all the holding calls in the world and that’s not the way people want the game to go down. “I don’t want to sound bitter but last week we had one with Tomas Soucek held at Brentford and we didn’t get a penalty. But then you can’t give one like that today.” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said after the match that the VAR was correct to disallow the goal, describing it as a “brave” decision. “A call from the refs that I think is very brave, but very consistent with what they’ve been talking about all season. So when I have to be critical, I have been,” he said. “Today I have to praise them, at least for giving the option to a referee to decide. Away from the lights and the chaos, to give clarity to him to make the right call. And when you look at the action in that way, I think it is an obvious error. “It is a free kick and the goal has to be disallowed. So congratulations because they made a big call in very, very difficult circumstances.” West Ham visit Newcastle United next Sunday and take on Leeds on the final day. Arsenal host Burnley on May 18 before travelling to Crystal Palace six days later. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms