“It was a ‘mad thing’” — Shay Given slams chaotic finish in West Ham vs Brighton draw
The former goalkeeper and pundit Shay Given did not hold back after watching what he described as a “mad thing” unfold in the final seconds of West Ham United’s 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.
That match, played at the Amex Stadium on Sunday, saw the visitors take the lead through Jarrod Bowen’s brilliant 73rd-minute strike — only for Brighton’s Georginio Rutter to snatch a stoppage-time equaliser under controversial circumstances. (West Ham Zone)
🔎 What caused the controversy
- After Areola’s save from Rutter’s initial strike, the ball ricocheted and — crucially — made contact with Rutter’s arm following a bounce off his knee before he followed up to score. VAR reviewed the incident and judged Rutter’s arm was in a “natural position,” ruling the handball un-intentional and allowing the goal to stand. (West Ham Zone)
- Many in the football world felt this was harsh on West Ham, who had defended resolutely for large portions of the 90 minutes — and seemed certain to return to London with all three points. (The Guardian)
Given’s reaction: “I don’t understand the rule”
On the post-match show, Given was blunt with his verdict. He said:
“Here’s the handball, it hits his leg and then hits his arm. The mad thing about the rule is if that goes in, it gets disallowed on the first one. Van Hecke keeps it alive and gives it back to Rutter and he scores.” (West Ham Zone)
He also backed the criticism aimed at the officiating surrounding a high-foot challenge earlier in the move — on Konstantinos Mavropanos — that he felt warranted attention but never got a VAR check. (West Ham Zone)
Broader reaction — and what’s at stake
The controversy has sparked fierce debate. To many, a handball followed by a goal — even after a rebound — should be disallowed, especially given the “immediate” nature of the contact. But rules around “natural position” and “intentionality” complicate such calls. (uk.sports.yahoo.com)
A former referee argued the high-boot earlier in the attack was reckless and should have been penalised, calling it “dangerous play”. (Hammers News)
For West Ham, the draw represents yet another missed opportunity — especially ominous given their precarious place in the relegation zone. (Outlook India)
Why this moment matters — beyond one match
This incident will likely fuel ongoing debates around how strictly handball should be judged, especially in scenarios involving deflections, rebounds, or unclear “natural” positions. The fact that even seasoned analysts like Given are confused underscores how murky the waters remain.
For West Ham, it might sting even more — not only because of lost points, but also because it leaves players, staff, and fans feeling robbed of a legitimate win. The sense of injustice might linger far beyond the final whistle.
