Pundit fumes at ‘awful’ Nayef Aguerd red card in West Ham v Chelsea
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
The decision to send off West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd against Chelsea has been branded “terrible” and “awful” by Frank McAvennie.
Aguerd was booked in the first half of the Hammers’ 3-1 win at London Stadium for preventing Raheem Sterling from breaking down the right.
Referee John Brooks then brandished a second yellow and subsequent red card when Aguerd caught Nicolas Jackson with a late challenge in the 67th minute.
McAvennie believes the decision was in keeping with a general trend of questionable calls that have occurred in the early throes of the Premier League campaign.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, he said: “They dug in for a long time especially getting a man sent off, which is a terrible decision to get him sent off, it was awful.
“Some of the decisions of the referees, stupid things, for tackling, it’s a contact sport. You can’t take it away. Some of the decisions that were overturned at the weekend, you can see them going for the ball and they’re getting sent off.
“[They’re] getting more apologies and stuff like that. It’s incredible, now [Manchester United midfielder Bruno] Fernandes is chasing the referee saying are going to apologise for that? Really you’re going to say that to the ref?”
Aguerd’s indiscretion means he will be unavailable when the Hammers face Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium later on Saturday (26 August).
Konstantinos Mavropanos, who joined from Stuttgart this week, will be unavailable as he is nursing a minor knock meaning David Moyes will have to reshuffle his pack from elsewhere within his squad.
Moyes’ men have started the season in good fashion, having backed up a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth in their opening game with the victory over Chelsea.
In Brighton, they face a side who have taken six points by defeating both Luton Town and Wolves 4-1.
In other West Ham news, one Hammers-linked players is reportedly keen on a move to Brentford.