Tony Gale blasts ‘stupid” Andreas Pereira for conceding penalty in first half of West Ham United v Fulham
Tony Gale has blasted Fulham midfielder Andreas Pereira for his role in giving West Ham a penalty during the first half of their clash on Sunday.
Pereira opened the scoring with a fine strike, before conceding a penalty for blocking Craig Dawson from a corner kick despite being warned twice by the referee about the way he was defending the set piece.
Speaking on commentary live on CNBC [9 October, 14:27] Gale was absolutely furious at that Pereira opted to do it despite warnings and labelled him “foolish”.
“Absolute stupidity from Pereira,” Gale said. “Two warnings he already had. Okay if you’re going to block, but look at the ball as well. Show to the referee that you’re trying to defend properly.
“He’s just not looking at the ball and trying to block Dawson, as he did do three times in succession. Twice he had the warning, and then the third time he’s still done it as well.
“The VAR will be looking at it, but I’d be very surprised if it’s not a penalty because it’s absolute stupidity. Look at the way he’s taken him down.
“And he knows, Dawson. He’s been warned twice and he knows he can probably buy this penalty as well. Pereira, that’s really foolish stuff.
“They’re playing ever so well, got their goal, but now they’ve given away a stupid pen.”
Brilliant
West Ham started the game really slowly and were punished by a wonder goal from Pereira, but the reaction from the team to get back in the game was excellent.
They created good chances before the goal, with Gianluca Scamacca going close and he probably should’ve scored at least once even just before the corner.
But Dawson was really clever to make the referee aware of the way that Fulham were trying to defend against him, and he certainly used his experience to make sure the referee saw it was still happening afterwards.
Gale, who also works on Sky Sports as a pundit was spot on with his criticism and while it may have seemed a little harsh at the time, Pereira should know better as someone who has played in the Premier League for a long time.
The Hammer will look to improve in the second half and hopefully turn the current one point into three with better defending and more clinical finishing up front.