Match of the Day pundits believe referee made huge mistake during West Ham vs Aston Villa

Match of the Day pundits Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker have stated on Saturday’s show that they believe Aston Villa were unlucky to have a penalty awarded against them in their Premier League opener with West Ham. 

Unai Emery’s men kicked off their season with a huge 2-1 win away to the Hammers with Jhon Duran scoring late on to secure all three points.

Villa started the game off impressively and were rewarded with a goal from new signing Amadou Onana. However, the momentum shifted in the first 45 minutes when West Ham were awarded a controversial penalty as a tackle from Matty Cash on Tomas Soucek was deemed a foul when in fact, the full-back got a touch on the ball.

Lucas Paqueta would convert the spot-kick and on an opening day with numerous refereeing errors, Match of the Day pundits Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker believed this decision was incorrect.

Speaking on Saturday’s Match of the Day, Shearer said via WestHamZone: “He feels there’s enough in it for a penalty, I didn’t think it was a penalty.

Lineker interjected by saying “Neither did I” before the former Newcastle striker continued by saying: “It’s one of those where, once he’s given it, it was never going to get overturned and likewise if he hadn’t have given it they were never going to send him to the (monitor).

“So you’re right we’re going to hear the referee’s call. Cash actually gets a slight touch. Tony Harrington the referee, I’m actually okay with that, if they’re going to be consistent with it, as I said I didn’t really think it was a penalty, once he’s given it there’s not enough to turn it over.”