Chris Sutton reacts to West Ham United penalty controversy in 4-3 loss v Crystal Palace
Chris Sutton took to social media to express his disbelief at the awarding of a Crystal Palace penalty in their crucial Premier League clash against West Ham United on Saturday [29 April].
In an enthralling contest at Selhurst Park, the Hammers failed to all but secure their Premier League status for next season as they fell to a disappointing 4-3 defeat leaving them just five points clear of Leicester City who sit in 18th.
Goals from Jordan Ayew, Wilfried Zaha, Jeffrey Schlupp and an Ebere Eze penalty succumbed the Hammers to their second successive Premier League defeat and Sutton was not happy at the awarding of the penalty for Palace’s fourth goal.
Eze played a one-two with Jordan Ayew on the edge of the West Ham United box before being caught by the arm of Nayef Aguerd as he was about to shoot for which referee Craig Pawson gave a controversial spot kick which Eze duly converted.
And Sutton took to his personal Twitter account [29 April] to express his disbelief at Pawson’s decision, tweeting: “That’s never a penalty for Palace…”
Poor
Whether Eze’s penalty was right to be given or not, David Moyes will be absolutely livid at his side’s dreadful and poor defending.
To concede four goals the way West Ham United did is just another telling reminder as to why the club are where they are in the Premier League table.
To score three goals away from home and still lose the game is increasingly frustrating and if West Ham United are to firmly secure their English top-flight spot for next season, such nature of defending simply cannot be the order of every one of their remaining games or else they are in dire trouble once again.
Refereeing decisions won’t help a club who can’t help themselves and that was how things panned out against Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon as West Ham United lacked quality and defensive organisation.
Things have to change soon or Moyes could well be seeing his job safety at the London Stadium come under increasing threat once again. They still have a European semi-final to contend with too.