How controversial VAR calls have defined two title battles

Two games, two potentially title-defining stoppage time video assistant referee moments. On Sunday in the Premier League, West Ham saw their equalising goal against Arsenal ruled out for a foul by Pablo on David Raya . It gave the Gunners a 1-0 win to keep the title in their own hands, while also deepening West Ham 's relegation worries.

Then on Wednesday night, the VAR intervened to give a penalty for handball against Motherwell's Sam Nicholson with just eight seconds remaining in added time. Kelechi Iheanacho converted from he spot to snatch a 3-2 win for Celtic in the Scottish Premiership. It was the last kick of the game.

This led to a similar kind of impact and reaction as both decisions went in favour of the bigger club, the one fighting for the title who does not have the weight of public support on their side. But it showed differences, too, in how the VAR decisions were reached, and what is considered conclusive. Celtic scored a match-winning penalty with the last kick of the game after Motherwell's Sam Nicholson conceded a penalty for handball after a VAR review "The controversy and discontent around West Ham not being given the goal is because it's Arsenal ," Danny Murphy said on MOTD.

Murphy was suggesting that lots of neutral fans might not want the Gunners to win the title. This is largely due to their style of play, the perception that there is an over-reliance on set-pieces and that they have got away with bullying the opposition on corners. "They can't be held accountable for decisions in the past," Murphy added.