Freiburg 1 West Ham 0! Europa League first leg victory for Bundesliga outfit who survive last-minute penalty shout

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Freiburg take a lead into the second leg of their UEFA Europa League last-16 clash against West Ham, after surviving a last-minute VAR penalty appeal from the Premier League outfit.

The Bundesliga side did not look like scoring for most of the game, but the Hammers switched off in the 81st minute allowing Roland Sallai space to turn the ball towards goal and substitute Michael Gregoritsch to tap home.

There was little goalmouth action during the game, but West Ham looked the more dominant as the game wore on and Noah Atubolu was called upon to make a fine save to deny Jarrod Bowen in the second half.

The drama came five minutes into injury time when Noah Weisshaupt inadvertently handled in the box.

With his hand placed over his head when Tomas Soucek deflected a ball into his path, a penalty was expected when the referee consulted the sideline video screen, but instead he decided against awarding a spot kick.

The Hammers host Freiburg in the second leg next week.

TNT Sports' pundit Steve Sidwell believes a penalty was not awarded due to a foul from Tomas Soucek.

"Looking at the referee's actions when he's talking to David Moyes, it looks as though he was saying motion from behind forced the arm to go up," Sidwell said on TNT Sports.

"The left elbow or forearm of Soucek goes into the back of the player and he thinks that forced him to raise his arms."

Michael Owen was speaking for many when he spoke about his frustration at the penalty laws.

"It's incredibly inconsistent, the handball rule is an absolute mess," Owen said.

"With what we've seen of the rule in the recent past it is a penalty. I don't particularly like it, but based on the way we referee games it is a penalty."

They did not look like winning for much of the night - and were maybe fortunate to get the rub of the green from a VAR decision.

The referee decides it was not a penalty. The crowd roar their approval.

The Freiburg man was off the ground, but his hands were above his head which usually would result in a spot kick.

Soucek is hoping for a kick after the ball struck Freiburg substitute Weisshaupt's hand which was above his head.

But his effort is blocked by Gulde.

But his effort is blocked and then the ball does not drop for Antonio.

After Cresswell's corner was cleared Kudus found room to put in a cross to the back post but the West Ham defender headed wide.

He has made his key contribution to the game.

He is warned by team-mates to calm down after he is upset at a foul. The Hammers do not want to be without him in the second leg.

Kubler comes on for Sildillia.

Sallai received a pull back from Gunter in space on the edge of the area and he hit a cross-shot towards the back post which worked out as a perfect through-ball for Gregoritsch to tap home.

But it is just too far in front of the onrushing Bowen.

And he tries to clip a ball into the centre but it is cleared well by Mavropanos.