Chris Sutton slams Gary O’Neil after Wolves controversy at Molineux

Chris Sutton has slammed Wolves manager Gary O’Neil for his criticism of the referee and VAR after a controversial disallowed goal in the 2-1 defeat against West Ham at Molineux.

The incident came when Max Kilman headed in a late equaliser from a corner only for it to be disallowed after an offside player impaired Lukasz Fabianki’s vision.

This decision was met with plenty of outrage from the likes of Gabby Agbonlahor, but Sutton has insisted the referees made the correct decision and O’Neil would have wanted it if it were given the other way.

Speaking on the It’s All Kicking Off podcast [8 April], Sutton shared: “I think we’re in a minority with the way we think on this. Some of Gary O’Neil’s language…

“Imagine if you flipped it, had it been the other way around I’m sure Gary O’Neil would be coming out saying that his goalkeeper’s vision was impeded.

“I understand that there was frustration. The referee goes to the monitor and, to the letter of the law, makes the right decision. How can we criticise him for that? If he doesn’t make that decision, he’ll probably be called out.

“I really think Gary O’Neil has got this wrong. Just imagine if his team concedes a goal like this next season, it’s the same principle.”

The call has proved divisive, with Jamie O’Hara and Jason Cundy arguing live on talkSPORT as O’Hara insisted the goal should have stood, while Cundy agreed with Sutton that by the letter of the law, the right call was made by the VAR.

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey, meanwhile, insisted that the officials had got the call “drastically wrong” as Fabianski would not have reached the ball even without the offside player’s presence as he fumed live on talkSPORT.

West Ham fans have understandably been frustrated by the decision which has taken coverage away from what was an impressive victory away from home, but continuous incorrect decisions are proving difficult to ignore at this point.

Ultimately, though, the decision will stand and nothing can be changed now, so the complaining and moaning that O’Neil has done so loudly since the game will only fall on deaf ears while fans and pundits continue to debate.