Keown blasts Kilman after what he did to West Ham teammate v Crystal Palace
Martin Keown pointed the finger at West Ham United defender Max Kilman for the 1-0 loss against Crystal Palace.
The Hammers were criticised for setting up too defensively at the London Stadium (18 January), but after Graham Potter introduced Carlos Soler for Guido Rodriguez for the second half, Jean-Philippe Mateta gave the visitors the lead three minutes later.
Although Kilman appeared to be picking up form before Julen Lopetegui’s dismissal, Keown blamed the defender for the match-winning goal live on BBC Football Focus (18 January, 4:07pm).
He said: “I am looking at Max Kilman, giving that much distance to Jean-Philippe Mateta – he is going to score. [Lukasz] Fabianski is unsighted as Kilman is blocking.”
Max Kilman costs West Ham United v Crystal Palace
Whether it was Kilman or Lukasz Fabianski, either way, West Ham conceded a dreadful goal with everything still to play for at the London Stadium.
Potter will be scratching his head in East London over what to do with the current crop of players as he loses his second consecutive match since succeeding Lopetegui.
Although Keown believes Kilman is to blame for the opener, Fabianski hardly painted himself in gold as he conceded a penalty in the dying embers of the match for Mateta to put the game to bed.
Furthermore, centre-back partner Konstantinos Mavropanos bettered the pair as he allowed his frustrations to boil over at the London Stadium after he was sent off for two yellow card offences.
Potter looked all over the pitch for answers as Crystal Palace dominated the contest and found no answers – the hosts failed to register a single shot on target in seven attempts.
Daily Mail reporter Ian Ladyman warned Potter he risks becoming a “failure” (17 January) if he doesn’t rectify the growing list of problems at the Irons, but maybe even he didn’t envision the worrying state of affairs he would inherit.
With trips to Aston Villa and Chelsea up next, unless Potter can make it past the fixtures unscathed, it is hard not to mention West Ham in the relegation fight this season.
In other West Ham news, a Hammers ace was slammed live on Sky Sports after “dreadful” moment against Crystal Palace.
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