Keith Hackett Shares Verdict on Myles Lewis-Skelly’s Red Card in Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

Keith Hackett, former English referee and PGMOL chief, claims Craig Pawson made a mistake when he sent off Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly against West Ham. The Gunners were unable to put pressure on league leaders Liverpool, with the teenager receiving his second red card of the season.

Lewis-Skelly’s first dismissal of the season sparked outrage, when Michael Oliver sent him out in a 1-0 victory over Wolves earlier in the season. That decision was reversed following widespread outrage over the incident, but it’s difficult to picture this one falling into the same category.

Mikel Arteta’s side were unable to break through a strong West Ham defence at the Emirates Stadium, after Jarrod Bowen’s first-half header handed the visitors an unexpected lead. The red card in the 73rd minute, after the youth academy product hauled down Mohammed Kudus, made life even more difficult for the north London club. Watch the incident below.

Myles Lewis-Skelly can go and meditate now in the dressing room 😂😂

pic.twitter.com/qB3Br1L1Ip

— Akanji🐐 (@AkanjiSZN_) February 22, 2025

Former PGMOL Chief on Referee Mistake

Lewis-Skelly was shown a yellow card before VAR intervened

Kudus was denied a clean scoring opportunity because David Raya was in no man’s land and no Arsenal defender appeared to be on his way across to cover. However, before being advised by VAR to assess the incident, Pawson issued a yellow card to the Gunners defender.

This is where Hackett believes the error occurred, as he was perplexed by the initial decision to hand out a yellow card. Pawson correctly altered his judgement after seeing replays of the incident and was elevated to a red card.

While the end result was accurate, Hackett explained the referee’s’massive blunder’ before arriving at the correct verdict. Speaking with Football Insider shortly after the full-time whistle, the retired official stated:

“Here’s another big error. This time, Craig Pawson fails to issue a red card for a clear rejection of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Fortunately, VAR intervened, and the player received the correct red card.

“How could this referee not notice that the offence met DOGSO? Should not have needed to intercede.”

In agreement with Hackett’s finding that the Arsenal player was denied a clear goalscoring opportunity, the Premier League issued a statement shortly after the ruling was rendered, explaining:

“VAR reviewed the referee’s call of a yellow card to Lewis-Skelly for a challenge on Kudus, deeming it a denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity due to the goalkeeper’s position and the lack of a covering defender, and recommended an on-field review.” “The referee then upgraded the yellow to a red card.”

While the eventual outcome was correct, Hackett explained the referee’s “massive blunder” before reaching the correct conclusion. Speaking to Football Insider shortly after the full-time whistle, the retired official said:

“Here’s another huge error. This time, Craig Pawson fails to show a red card after a clear refusal of an easy goal-scoring opportunity. Fortunately, VAR intervened, and the player received the appropriate red card.

“How could this referee have missed that the offence fulfilled DOGSO? Shouldn’t have required to intervene.”

The Premier League, agreeing with Hackett’s decision that the Arsenal player was denied a clear goalscoring opportunity, issued a statement shortly after the ruling, explaining:

“VAR reviewed the referee’s call of a yellow card to Lewis-Skelly for a challenge on Kudus, deeming it a denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity due to the goalkeeper’s position and the lack of a covering defender, and recommended an on-field review.” “The referee then upgraded the yellow to a red card.”

#ARSWHU – 71’ VAR OVERTURN

VAR checked the referee’s call of yellow card to Lewis-Skelly for a challenge on Kudus – deeming it denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity due to the goalkeeper’s position and there being no covering defender, therefore recommended an on-field…

— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) February 22, 2025