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| Paul Pogba celebrates after scoring |
West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini said he is “sure” his side would have beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford had VAR been in place.
An under-par United won thanks to two Paul Pogba penalties, returning to winning ways after back-to-back defeats.
But the decision to award United their first penalty – when Robert Snodgrass was deemed to have fouled Juan Mata – was contentious, and West Ham should have taken the lead in the ninth minute but Felipe Anderson’s goal was incorrectly ruled out for offside.
Pellegrini also said United’s second penalty should not have stood because Anthony Martial, who was fouled by Ryan Fredericks, was offside in the build-up – although replays seemed to show he was onside.
“I am not complaining about the referee because they were not big mistakes, difficult mistakes, but with technology we have a different score,” Pellegrini said.
“With VAR, I am sure we would win the game 1-0.
“Felipe Anderson was onside. It was not a penalty from Robert. The last goal from Man Utd was offside, the last pass.”
The Hammers deservedly equalised through Anderson shortly after half-time, when he converted Manuel Lanzini’s cross at the back post and Michail Antonio twice came close to putting Pellegrini’s side 2-1 in front.
First he smashed a shot from the edge of the box off the crossbar and minutes later had a header excellently saved by David de Gea.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted his side “got away with it”.
“They played better than us, it is fair to say, I don’t think anyone will disagree,” he added.
“Sometimes you get more than you deserve and today is one of those nights.”
The win sees United climb to fifth, two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea who play Liverpool on Sunday, while West Ham stay 11th.
