Danny Mills gobsmacked by Mavropanos ‘WWE’ controversy in Newcastle v West Ham
Danny Mills was “gobsmacked” that Konstantinos Mavropanos did not concede a penalty for a foul on Callum Wilson during West Ham United’s 2-0 win at Newcastle on Monday.
The Hammers already had a two-goal cushion by the time the Greek defender clumsily tangled with Wilson in the penalty area in the clash at St James’ Park (25 November).
Former England defender Mills likened his action to something you might see in the WWE and could not believe a spot-kick was not awarded.
Speaking on talkSPORT (25 November, 9:30 pm), he said: “It’s a piggyback, it’s WWE. How can it not be a penalty? I don’t understand what the referee is seeing in that incident.”
After a VAR review, a goal kick was awarded leading to Mills saying: “Oh my goodness. I’m gobsmacked.”
Ultimately goals from Tomas Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka earned the points for the visitors.
West Ham fortunate to beat Newcastle
Monday’s encounter against Newcastle was a very strange one. The hosts dominated large parts of the game but failed to take their chances.
The Hammer did, with Soucek dispatching a header in the first half and Wan-Bissaka finding the bottom corner with a neat finish in the second.
The performance left a lot to be desired for the Hammers who, despite the win, still looked somewhat uncomfortable at times with Julen Lopetegui’s gameplan and needed a bit of luck to get over the line.
Newcastle carved the Irons open far too often but a lack of finishing ability prevented them from getting back in the game.
Nevertheless, the win is huge for Lopetegui, who was understood to be in the firing line if his side failed to win against the Magpies.
With a tricky home encounter against Arsenal up next, performances will have to improve if they are to replicate this result against the Gunners.
In other West Ham news, Jamie Carragher has slammed Julen Lopetegui.
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