Former West Ham and Aston Villa stars, Dean Ashton and Dean Saunders have slammed referee Anthony Taylor over his decision to give a penalty and second yellow card to Vladimir Coufal in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over West Ham on Wednesday night.
Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe saw the Gunners leapfrog the Hammers into fourth place in the Premier League table.
A huge moment of controversy came when Coufai was adjudged to have taken down Lacazette in the West Ham box with just over 20 minutes to play.
Taylor awarded a penalty with the Gunners already 1-0 up, and gave Coufal a second yellow card, without checking his pitchside monitor.
Ashton complimented the tackle at first glance and was left shocked when Taylor refused to change his decision.
On his own, Saunders compared the referee’s decision to the questionable decision-making in the Formula One season finale.
“That decision is up there with Michael Masi, Formula One,” Saunders told talkSPORT.
“That is the worst decision, I just can’t believe you can give a penalty for that.
“If that’s a penalty, football’s finished.”
Ashton maintained Coufal’s tackle was one to be admired, not punished.
“Well my initial thoughts were what a fantastic challenge that was from Coufal,” Ashton said. “And it was! I mean he does get the ball, yes he gets a bit of Lacazette.
“It’s a great challenge, there’s absolutely no way that is a penalty or a sending off,” he said.
With the win, Arsenal are now fourth in the league table leapfrogging West Ham into the last space of the Champions League.
