West Ham escape penalty for second game in row as ball hits Kehrer's hand at Tottenham

The incident comes just a week after his Hammers teammate Tomas Soucek 'saved' a strike from Conor Gallagher in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea.

Advertisement

This time it was German defender Kehrer who may have been fortunate to avoid handing the opposition a spot-kick.

Replays showed the 26-year-old slapping the ball away from Richarlison's pass to Harry Kane to spark mass appeals from the Spurs squad.

Advertisement

VAR took a look at the incident which occurred in the 11th minute, but deemed it as not worthy of overturning the decision on the pitch from referee Michael Oliver.

Speaking on Sky Sports commentary, former Arsenal striker Alan Smith suggested West Ham were fortunate the decision went their way.

He remarked: "There were lots of appeals by Tottenham players. That could easily have been given."

Spurs icon Robbie Keane was convinced it should have been a penalty, as he said on Sky's half-time analysis: "I think it's a penalty. I want to see these given."

Advertisement

Advertisement

And ex-Brighton and Crystal Palace striker Glenn Murray was equally as confused as to how Spurs weren't awarded a spot-kick.

He stated: "It was a bad angle for us, but I felt Kane was coming back from an offside position so even if it was handball, it wouldn't be given.

"We've seen the replay. To me, if he's not in an offside position, I can't understand why that's not given… he moves his arm towards the ball, I'm surprised it wasn't checked for longer."

Advertisement

That proved to be the standout moment in an uneventful first half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with the game firmly deadlocked at 0-0 at half time.