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