Roeder: I Know It Was A Goal

Glenn Roeder insists West Ham were robbed of a certain half-time lead at Highbury when Fredi Kanoute was denied a clear 37th minute opener.

The linesman failed to spot that Kanoute's shot had crossed the line before Ashley Cole hacked the ball clear.

And although the Hammers boss is not claiming that Arsenal would have been beaten had the goal been given, he was understandably critical afterwards.

Roeder said: "I don't think it was a goal, I know it was a goal, it had more than crossed the line. If it had gone in, they'd have been more edgy and nervous.

"Right up until half-time the linesman remained adamant that it wasn't a goal. It was an honest mistake, but it was also a bad error.

"It's a linesman's job to spot these things, championships are won and lost on such decisions. I just hope he holds his hand up and admits he got it wrong.

"We're accountable as managers and players, and so should the officials be. They shouldn't just be allowed to scurry off into the night.

"We had a specific gameplan and almost pulled it off."