Alan Smith calls out Konstantinos Mavropanos in West Ham United draw v Crystal Palace
Alan Smith did not mince his words as a Konstantinos Mavropanos mistake led to Crystal Palace’s equaliser against West Ham on Sunday 3 December.
The Hammers looked to be comfortable against their London rivals, with a Mohammed Kudus goal helping them to a 1-0 lead at the half-time break.
But the visitors came out the much stronger team for the second half, with Odsonne Edouard capitalising on a poor mistake from Mavropanos, latching onto a wayward pass.
“It’s a West Ham mistake, a gift,” Smith said live on Sky Sports (3 November, 3:10pm).
“That’s a body blow to West Ham, whose goal has barely been threatened.
“It’s just a lack of concentration. Mavropanos just doesn’t look.”
‘A gift from the Greek’
While the Greek defender was not expected to start the match, replacing Kurt Zouma due to personal issues, it is still expected of the experienced defender to stay concentrated in the Premier League. David Moyes had no other option but to put him in the team.
The defender has been a hit with the Hammers since signing for the club in August, making 10 appearances in all competitions. Half of those games have all come in the Europa League, helping the club to the top of their group with one match left to play.
With just one Premier League start to his name this season, a 3-2 loss to Brentford, it may be that the 25-year-old is not used to the intensity of the league yet or just that he was not in the right mindset due to a presumed spot on the bench.
Either way, it was a shocking mistake to give away in a game that West Ham looked comfortable enough in, and one that Palace did not look like scoring in.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are seriously exploring a deal for Crystal Palace striker Odsonne Edouard this January.