West Ham United suffered a frustrating exit from the FA Cup on Tuesday night, losing to Bristol City and finishing the game with ten men. Manager David Moyes expressed his frustration with the absence of VAR in the competition, calling it “ridiculous” that the best cup competition in the world does not have consistent VAR usage.
The Hammers were unable to secure a victory at Ashton Gate after a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium, with Bristol City ultimately emerging triumphant with a memorable win. Tommy Conway’s early goal proved to be the decider, while West Ham’s Said Benrahma was sent off in the second half for a retaliatory kick at Joe Williams.
Moyes criticized the lack of VAR support in the tournament, stating that it creates an uneven playing field for all clubs. He emphasized the need for consistent VAR usage in the FA Cup, arguing that if it cannot be implemented across all games, it should not be utilized at all.
The absence of VAR also drew attention to instances where Bristol City players may have escaped red cards, highlighting the potential impact of video review on the game.
Despite the disappointment, West Ham defender Aaron Cresswell acknowledged that the team needs to regroup and focus on their upcoming Premier League match against Sheffield United.
With a potential opportunity to secure a top-six finish in the league, West Ham will look to bounce back from their FA Cup disappointment and continue their successful season.
