Julen Lopetegui job prospects boosted at West Ham United after ‘cruel’ twist
West Ham should not have been awarded a penalty against Manchester United but karma was in their – and Julen Lopetegui’s – favour, Frank McAvennie has said.
The Hammers looked to be sharing the points at the London Stadium last Sunday (27 October) as Crysencio Summerville and Casemiro cancelled each other out.
That was until Matthijs de Ligt was adjudged to have brought Danny Ings down in the penalty area, with Jarrod Bowen stepping up to slot home and claim a 2-1 victory.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “It just shows you how cruel football is because I don’t think it was a penalty. But, saying that, West Ham have had a lot given against them.
“They say it all balances out. It’s a great boost for Lopetegui. We jumped above Man United into 13th place but that’s still not good enough for where we want to be.
“If I was a Man United supporter, I would have been screaming that it wasn’t a penalty, but as a West Ham fan, I’ll take it.”
West Ham United given good luck in win v Manchester United?
The Hammers certainly have their fair share of decisions that go against them, but there is little arguing over this contentious decision.
Referee David Coote made the right decision initially, waving away the claims for a spot-kick in the dying stages of the game, but VAR had to get involved, much to the delight of Hammers fans.
The victory sees Lopetegui’s side leapfrog the Red Devils into thirteenth place, much better than the torrid start they experienced this season, but the manager has not escaped the pressure just yet.
With upcoming Premier League ties against Nottingham Forest, Everton and Newcastle United, the Hammers will be expected to build on this result, not collapse again like they did against Tottenham.
In other West Ham news, a Nottingham Forest duo have a 50/50 chance of featuring at The City Ground.
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