Kevin Nolan was furious with Neal Maupay as West Ham beat Brentford - Credit Sky Sports via X

West Ham United v Brentford: Gary Neville reacts to Kevin Nolan and Neal Maupay tunnel clash

George is a sportswriter and editor with degrees in Sports Journalism (MA) from the University of Brighton – and Politics (BSc) from the University of Southampton. Sport was his first love at a young age, although football tests that sometimes. Also particularly interested in the women’s game and the NFL.

Published on:

26 Feb 2024, 4:20 pm

Neal Maupay left Kevin Nolan furious by attempting to speak to the referee at half time of the 4-2 West Ham win over Brentford, according to Gary Neville.

The Sky Sports pundit reacted live on the broadcaster's match commentary as footage was shown of the Irons coach clashing with the visitors striker in the tunnel as the teams came out for the second period.

The Bees were unhappy not to be awarded a penalty by Simon Hooper for a coming together between Mohammed Kudus and Sergio Reguilon, but it was Nolan who was left more angry after the break.

Neville said (9.05pm): "Nolan's having a right go at Maupay. I think that the Brentford striker apparently, we believe, was outside the referee's room and Nolan's taken offence to it.

"Doesn't look like he's calmed down yet either."

Gary Neville shares why West Ham coach was furious with Brentford striker

It wasn't entirely plain sailing but the game proved to be a hugely-significant one for the Irons and embattled manager David Moyes as they dispatched Thomas Frank's men for a first win of the calendar year.

But it also proved to be a bad-tempered affair with players and coaches getting heated on a number of occasions.

Nolan also reacted angrily after a dive from Christian Norgaard in the box in the second half drew more appeals from the Brentford bench.

Maupay has established himself as the Premier League's wind-up-merchant-in-chief so it was probably no surprise that he was at the centre of Nolan's problems at the break.

Things got a little heated at half-time between Neal Maupay and Kevin Nolan 👀 pic.twitter.com/S39Z6uTAKt
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 26, 2024

Ultimately a Jarrod Bowen hat-trick and a stunner from Emerson were enough to take a huge three points and render the bad feeling of secondary importance.

Moyes will now desperately hope that his side, with star man Lucas Paqueta newly-restored, can build on this and take some pressure off his shoulders.

In other West Ham news, Jamie Carragher named three "top managers" as he agreed Moyes could face the sack.

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