West Ham manager David Moyes’ public statements regarding the recent controversy in his team’s victory against Wolves differed from what Gary O’Neil, the opposing manager, claimed Moyes had privately told him.

The thrilling match at Molineux saw both teams having goals disallowed. The pivotal moment arrived when Hammers defender Emerson was fouled, leading to their celebrations being cut short. However, the dispute arose over Wolves’ Max Kilman’s apparent equalizing header. After a VAR check ruled out the goal due to offside, tension mounted.

Post-match, Gary O’Neil revealed that both Moyes and goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski believed Kilman’s goal should have counted, labeling the decision as one of the worst he had ever witnessed. Moyes, though acknowledging O’Neil’s viewpoint, offered a contrasting opinion, suggesting that the decision might have been correct, emphasizing the harsh penalty calls faced by his team earlier in the game.

The match featured first-half controversies, including a penalty decision against Emerson and a subsequent equalizer by Lucas Paqueta after a Kilman handball. James Ward-Prowse later secured West Ham’s victory with a direct corner goal.

This incident added to Wolves’ string of frustrating referee decisions during the season. O’Neil highlighted previous questionable calls, including a denied penalty against Manchester United and a wrong call in a game against Fulham, revealing numerous areas where he felt decisions had gone against his team.