Nuno Espirito Santo furiously watched two Premier League points slip from West Ham’s grasp on Sunday as Brighton’s Georginio Rutter netted in the 91st minute to cancel out Jarrod Bowen’s opener.
As the ball was sent into the West Ham penalty area, the ball popped up off Rutter’s thigh and on to his arm before he fired low past Alphonse Areola in goal.
After a video assistant referee (VAR) review, the goal was deemed to be within the laws at Amex Stadium – and it meant the match finished 1-1.
The goal, which the Hammers boss said was “handball”, kept West Ham in the bottom three as they sit two points adrift of 17th-placed Nottingham Forest.
Nuno told Sky Sports post-match: “It was a handball, wasn’t it, and a high foot. No need to speak with the referee. I think it was the main factor.”
The Hammers boss said he “cannot understand how they gave the goal” after two possible infringements.
He said: “It’s clear. I saw it, everybody saw it. VAR saw it, everybody saw it. I think both situations should be checked.
“It’s hard to take, man, it’s really hard to take, especially after the hard work of the boys, the support of our fans that makes us feel like we were in London.
“Then comes one situation, so many people see it, it’s hard to take.”
BBC Sport takes a look at why the goal stood.
