Paul Merson left aghast by West Ham United player v Brentford live on Sky Sports
Paul Merson was left aghast after West Ham forward Michail Antonio failed to convert a huge chance during the first half of Saturday’s (4 November) Premier League clash with Brentford.
Antonio somehow failed to find the target when the ball was laid on the plate for him by Jarrod Bowen during the first half of the match at the Gtech Community Stadium.
To make matters worse for Antonio, who has struggled in front of goal this campaign, Said Benrahma was waiting to tap the ball in had his team-mate not intervened.
Reacting to the miss on Sky Sports [4 November, 15:41], Merson said: “What a goal this would have been.
“There’s a big diagonal ball to Kudus. You think he’s going to head it but he brings it down on his chest, cuts inside, plays a lovely ball to Bowen on the right and he puts it across the goal for Benrahma to tap in.
“All of a sudden, Antonio has come from nowhere and put it over. It’s an absolute sitter. Benrahma has gone mad. He’s just got to tap it in, but [Antonio] has got in front of him and put it wide. He’s got it horribly wrong. What a chance.”
Shocking
Many West Ham fans were annoyed at seeing Antonio in the starting line-up, but that was mainly down to Lucas Paqueta being suspended for the match with Brentford.
Kudus and Bowen – two players certainly in form for West Ham – linked up superbly and the latter played in a cross that was crying out for either Antonio or Benrahma to convert.
Antonio did not set himself properly, though, taking the chance on the stretch and firing off target.
West Ham were leading 2-1 at the time, but Benrahma still let his frustration known as he was denied what would surely have been a certain goal.
As far as Antonio is concerned, when you’re out of form, it really does appear that everything goes against you.
If Moyes needed further reminding that the Jamaica international is past it, then this is it.
In other West Ham news, Vanessa Gold is reportedly at odds with other board members as she looks to sell some of her family’s shares in the club.