Says the Ireland fan who clenches his fists when he hears Thierry Henry's name...

I feel like a lot of football fans live for complaining about referees and VAR. How doesn't it just wear you down eventually?

Paul Harris: That pen is not awarded to the away side at the Etihad, Anfield, Old Trafford, etc - but it's fine to give it at the Emirates. Ref bias supported by VAR means VAR is a waste of time.

Craig Smith: Arsenal are completely on top but the lack of any natural striker able to finish is striking! This is a game we need to be winning before our next tough fixtures.

John Dunthorne: Arsenal are playing like Spain: 1,000 passes but do not shoot. May need to spend money on a stand-in for Jesus.

Esco Pablabar: And after the league being off for over a month, referees and VAR ruining things after less than 45 minutes. It's decisions being made like this that is putting many of us off watching the game.

Get on with the second half, I want to go home and play with my Christmas presents.

Arsenal have won just one of their last 25 Premier League games when trailing at the break (D4 L20), with that victory coming against Wolves in February (2-1).

West Ham have lost just one of their last 24 top-flight games when leading at half-time (W19 D4), against Brighton in May (3-1).

Liverpool

Speaking to Match of the Day, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp added this on the performance of Darwin Nunez: "He was top class. He gives us so much. He gives us depth and stretches everything, pretty much. He makes it more difficult to defend against us - it's not just Mo Salah.

"Of course he will score, everyone knows that. [His chance] was like a millimetre from his foot, whether the ball goes in or not, so that's nothing we're worried about. It's really nice that he stays in the game then sets up the third goal.

"Usually a striker, with the game he had - a good game but not scoring - they take the ball, try to force it and kick it straight into the goalkeeper. But he had the overview to pass to Stefan [Bajcetic] to finish it off in an extremely cool manner."

Mark Schwarzer
Former Middlesbrough & Fulham keeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

Since going behind, Arsenal have looked comfortable on the ball - they've just been a bit too slow at moving the ball from back to front.

They're always a big threat when they play one-touch football and get it out wide to players like Saka and Martinelli in space, so they can run at a defender. They've been too slow at getting the ball out there.

Mark Schwarzer
Former Middlesbrough & Fulham keeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

West Ham have done enough. They were a bit fortunate with the penalty decision. They took their opportunity and have defended well since.

I have to say, Arsenal haven't asked enough questions. It's been relatively easy for West Ham to hold on to the lead.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery speaking to Match of the Day: "We made a big effort. Over the 90 minutes there were moments for us and for them. We had the chances and if we scored then maybe the match would go differently. But Liverpool created chances as well. They had good transitions with good pace and when they scored the third goal it finished it.

"It was tough in the first half because we had chances and didn't score, but they scored two goals from set-pieces. They had some chances from transitions as well but we deserved to score a minimum of one goal.

"We spoke about the second half, to try to get into their box and score one goal, to achieve our opportunities in the match, and we made it. In the second half we recovered and for 30 minutes we played well, but the third goal was a real upset for us.

"Playing like that, we can create more chances. We have to control the transition more but against Liverpool that's different. I can be optimistic [for the future] but I'm disappointed about the result."

Aston Villa

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery speaking to Amazon Prime: "It was a tough match. In the first half they scored two goals from set-pieces and I was so disappointed for us to concede those goals. But we had chances and were fighting, taking opportunities to attack.

"The first 20 minutes of the second half was a good moment for us. We scored, we created chances, we were getting in good positions and had possession. We had the confidence to take the responsibility on the pitch, but when we conceded the third goal then really the match was finished.

"I'm not happy because I want to win but I think we can learn and make a step up, doing a good job, like we're doing, but adding something more on the pitch."

Liverpool

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp speaking to Match of the Day: "I loved the first half. There was a lot of good football and the outstanding moment was the first goal.

"I loved how all the midfield was connected, I loved the depth we offered, I loved how we played in the half-spaces, and Villa played a good game as well.

"Villa had a better start to the second half, you could see the crowd was there, and you have to get used to these fights. But we fought through and scored an exceptional third goal, which I loved so much.

"Everything about it - the pass, the control of Darwin [Nunez], the pass back and then Stefan [Bajcetic] finishes it off, which is wonderful, like a Christmas story, if you like.

"We had to dig deep but there's no problem with that. This is always a tough place to go to and everybody could see that tonight, but we got the three points and that's what we wanted."

On blooding young players: "We know that we have to create a situation where these boys can help us - and they can help us - but for that we need to be stable. If we are stable then they can play their role.

"Stefan's an exceptional talent. He's cheeky as hell and how he plays football is great. His attitude is outstanding. Ben [Doak] as well, what a dribbler he is. Bobby Clark was not in the squad tonight but he's the same quality. It's crazy. We have Calvin Ramsay, he didn't make the squad today, but they're all real talents.

"It's nice to bring them. They have an important role for us and tonight they could play, which was really nice."

Now a bit of reaction from the earlier game. Well, one of the later games. But earlier than this one.

Mark Schwarzer
Former Middlesbrough & Fulham keeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

Arsenal are taking too long to get the ball forward. They're allowing West Ham to get their two banks of four up nice and tight. There's very little space between the lines, but Arsenal are persistent and they're trying to bulldoze their way through.

Odegaard, at times, has looked great, but generally it hasn't come to much. The only time when it has looked a little bit exciting has been when they get to the edge of the box and whip it in quickly from out wide.

Otherwise, if you play it in from further out, you've got big Craig Dawson as a centre-half, who is mostly heading everything away.

Eddie Nketiah has looked very, very good a couple of times. His first touch has been brilliant and he has caused West Ham some problems.

Image source, Getty Images

Boos from the Gunners fans there - aimed at the officials and not their team.

The half-time whistle goes.

West Ham lead thanks to one penalty that was given and one that was not.

The decision is correctly overturned by Michael Oliver after viewing it again on the screen. David Moyes applauds the new ruling.

Image source, Getty Images

Aaron Cresswell's arms are a bit raised but the ball hits his face so surely that's not a penalty.

The referee goes to the screen.

Martin Odegaard's shot is blocked by Aaron Cresswell and the referee points to the spot. But did it hit his head and not his arms?