Bilic furious at referee penalty call

West Ham United locked horns with Chelsea on March 19 of the ongoing year with both teams coming into this game with hopes of securing all 3 points but each squad had to eventually settle with 1 point.

This result wasn’t the one that the head coach of West Ham wanted to see as his team had the lead from the start of the game after Manuel Lanzini opened up the scoreboard at the 17th minute but Cesc Fabregas managed to tie the game at the 48th minute. Lanzini has been heavily linked with Chelsea by the likes of transferrumours.co.uk, and will have been pleased to make a good impression.

The visiting team managed to regain the lead through a 61st minute goal from Andy Carroll as the scoreboard turned 2-1 in favor of West Ham United. Just when it seemed like West Ham United was going to claim the victory, the referee awarded a penalty kick to Chelsea at the 89th minute. Michail Antonio clipped down Chelsea’s Loftus-Cheek with a tackle and the referee gave away a penalty kick to Chelsea, which led to the equaliser.

This penalty decision was a controversial call as the tackle that was made by Michail Antonio appeared to have been done outside of the penalty area.

Slaven Bilic is the manager of West Ham United and he had a few things to say in relation to what occurred, with the Croatian coach questioning the penalty call from the referee as Bilic said: "It was not close to the line. It was way out and simply not a penalty. It shouldn't be difficult for a referee to see it."

"To concede a goal that late is gutting, no matter how you concede it. To concede it from a penalty that wasn't a penalty. It's unacceptable."

This late penalty ensured that each team gained 1 point from this league game but it’s a bittersweet result for West Ham United as they were on the verge of emerging victorious and a controversial penalty changed everything.