Danny Murphy reacts to West Ham v Bournemouth controversy. Credit: talkSPORT
Danny Murphy reacts to West Ham v Bournemouth controversy. Credit: talkSPORT
Match

Danny Murphy baffled by West Ham v Bournemouth controversy, 'I don't get it'

Harri Burton
Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Danny Murphy was baffled by the decision to stop play for an injured Evanilson in Bournemouth versus West Ham on Monday.

Referee Chris Kavanagh caused frustration by pausing play after the Cherries striker went down injured, jarring his knee after an awkward landing despite the Hammers being on the attack with Edson Alvarez.

The controversial moment was greeted by moans and groans from the travelling fans at the Vitality Stadium on 16 December, and they were not the only ones annoyed by the decision in the 1-1 draw.

Speaking live via talkSPORT [16 December, 8:36pm], Murphy said: "I don't get it. I get that he might have hurt his knee or twisted it but I don't get why we're kicking the ball out unless it's a head injury.

"They're on the attack. They have a game of football to win. Where's the line?"

West Ham United to fume at referee during Bournemouth clash

The performance certainly got quite scruffy towards the end of the first half, with players going down left, right and centre, and the Hammers will be aggrieved by Kavanagh's decision.

Premier League officials have often lost the trust of the passionate fans, especially when it comes to the use of VAR, and now nobody knows the rules about stopping play anymore.

Play is supposed to be stopped for a head injury, not a knee injury in the middle of the pitch, but that rule seemed to fly straight out the window after Evanilson went down.

West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui
West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui

The Hammers were not even given the decision about kicking the ball out of play, with Kavanagh putting the whistle straight to his mouth, which is why the travelling fans were frustrated.

Alvarez had already made his mind up, sending the ball forward as the Hammers attempted to take advantage and score the opener before half-time, but it was all in vain.

In other West Ham news, Andy Goldstein was astonished by what Darren Bent said about the Hammers live on air.

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West Ham United
Danny Murphy
Bournemouth
Evanilson
www.westhamzone.com