Tottenham vs West Ham Ref Watch: Three Decisions Jarred Gillett Got Wrong

In the highly anticipated Premier League London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, referee Jarred Gillett's performance came under intense scrutiny. The Australian official, confirmed for the match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, has a controversial history with both clubs, particularly Tottenham fans who remain bitter from prior encounters.[1][5]

Decision 1: Cristian Romero's Goal Disallowed

The first major flashpoint occurred early in the game when Tottenham's Cristian Romero thought he had opened the scoring. However, Gillett ruled out the goal, deeming Micky van de Ven's challenge on West Ham's full-back Kyle Walker-Peters as a foul in the buildup. Replays showed minimal contact, with Van de Ven winning the ball cleanly. This decision sparked outrage among Spurs supporters, echoing a similar call in their earlier meeting at the London Stadium where Gillett controversially nullified a Romero goal. Tottenham midfielder James Maddison publicly lambasted the officiating post-match.[1]

Decision 2: Soft Yellow Card to James Maddison

Gillett's disciplinary approach drew further criticism when he cautioned Maddison for a robust but fair tackle on a West Ham midfielder. The challenge was timed perfectly, yet Gillett deemed it reckless, brandishing a yellow. Across 14 Tottenham games refereed by Gillett, Spurs players have received 33 yellows and one red, highlighting his strict stance against the hosts. Critics argue this booking disrupted Tottenham's rhythm unnecessarily.[1]

Decision 3: Missed Penalty for West Ham

In a moment that infuriated Hammers fans, Gillett waved away strong penalty appeals when a Tottenham defender handled the ball inside the box after a corner. VAR review upheld the on-field decision, but post-match analysis from a Premier League panel deemed it a clear error, wrongly denying West Ham a spot-kick. This call balanced the controversy but underscored Gillett's inconsistent application of the laws.[4]

Gillett's record includes high-profile VAR blunders, such as those criticized by West Ham manager David Moyes, who once said he "shouldn't be anywhere near football." With Tottenham missing key players and under pressure, these decisions fueled debates on refereeing standards. Both sets of fans fumed, making the referee the unintended star of a tense derby.[1][2]

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