Matty Cash was involved in the biggest talking point of Aston Villa’s 2-1 win over West Ham United as Unai Emery’s side took all three points back to Villa Park.
Amadou Onana had the dream start to Aston Villa life following his £50 million summer move as he headed the opener after just four minutes.
Jhon Duran had clearly read the script, too, as the striker heavily linked with a move to West Ham this summer netted an 79th-minute strike that proved to be the winner for Villa.
That winner was needed as West Ham had levelled late in the first-half through a Lucas Paqueta penalty following a tangle between Matty Cash and Tomas Soucek.
The incident was given by the on-field referee with the VAR officials deciding not to intervene despite replays showing Cash got a touch on the ball.
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Dermot Gallagher believes West Ham penalty was the right decision against Aston Villa
Every decision in the Premier League is put under a microscope given the huge global interest in the division.
Fortunately for Villa, the penalty conceded at the London Stadium did not prove costly in a game that was decided by fine margins.
Those of a Villa persuasion feel that Cash was hard done by to concede a penalty, whilst neutral fans will be divided.
Cash did get a slight touch on the ball, but it was a clumsy challenge to make in the box.
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Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher reviewed the decision on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch segment on Monday morning where he revealed he feels the penalty was the correct call.
Gallagher accepted it was a controversial decision, saying: “This is certainly going to split people isn’t it.”
However, the ex-referee went on to explain: “Does touching the ball negate a foul? No. I think it’s a foul.
“There are many, many others I know already that don’t think it’s a foul, there’s many that think it is a foul.
“So, this is one that if the referee gives it I think you stick with the referee.”
Cash incident highlights subtle change to VAR in the Premier League for 2024/25
Whilst offside calls are generally black and white, Cash’s challenge on Soucek will certainly qualify as a subjective decision.
After fans have grown frustrated of VAR officials re-refereeing games since the introduction of the technology in the 2019/20 season, the decision of the on-field referee will now be given greater weight this season.
That is according to the Premier League’s Chief Football Officer Tony Scholes, who explained the significance of the new term of ‘Referee’s Call’ by saying: “One of the difficulties around VAR for the last couple of years is the lack of clarity as to when the VAR should or should not intervene.
“‘Referee’s Call’ really is just an introduction of a terminology to make it clear that the initial decision by the on-pitch official is critical. It’s similar to what exists in other sports like cricket and ‘Umpire’s Call’.
“The referee’s call should stand unless the VAR, based on readily available evidence, can see without doubt the on-pitch official has made a clear mistake.
“In the absence of that clear evidence, the referee’s call will stand. ”
Therefore, the lack of intervention in the penalty incident against West Ham was one of the first examples of this criteria in action.
