CHERRIES boss Andoni Iraola felt that VAR should not have gotten involved for West Ham’s equaliser in the 1-1 draw at London Stadium, but admitted it was a penalty.

Dominic Solanke’s third-minute opener was eventually cancelled out by a second-half James Ward-Prowse penalty, West Ham awarded the spot kick after Lloyd Kelly fouled Mohammed Kudus inside the area.

Initially match official Tim Robinson waived play on, but VAR instructed the referee to take a close look at the monitor.

After deliberating, Robinson pointed to the spot, allowing Ward-Prowse to restore parity.

Asked for his thoughts on the penalty decision, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “I think it's a penalty.

“I don't agree with the process, because it's the type of penalty where the referee sees live, sees that there is a contact, he takes the decision because he thinks it's not enough to be a pen.

“And normally in this kind of plays, the VAR doesn't get involved.

“We've seen it in in all the games of the league.

“I would have understood it and I would agree with the decision if the referee takes the decision live, it's a penalty.

“There's contact, it’s obvious.

“But normally how it has been other game, this kind of plays the VAR hasn't been called.”