Craig Dawson wows BBC pundit as West Ham lose away at Chelsea
A late Christian Pulisic goal was enough to see Chelsea edge their way past West Ham in a closely fought affair in the April sun at Stamford Bridge.
The American’s 90th-minute strike rescued the Blues after Jorginho wasted a penalty five minutes prior with a truly awful shot after Craig Dawson had brought down Romelu Lukaku.
The Hammers defender was eventually red-carded after a VAR review although the decision was highly debatable in all honesty.
Before his early bath though, the Englishman was very good in the heart of the defence and threw himself in front of all sorts and the BBC’s Alistair McGowan was in awe.
“Craig Dawson might have his critics, but he is one of the best at blocking shots as he has shown today. Brilliant display,” McGowan said.
Big dilemma
Dawson’s red card won’t play any part in Thursday’s Europa League semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt, for which David Moyes rested a number of his key men.
But next Sunday’s game against Arsenal is a whole different kettle of fish with Dawson suspended being the least of Moyes’ concerns.
The Scot already has Issa Diop, Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna out injured for a good period of time and none of them are expected to be back in the next seven days to take on the Gunners.
That leaves the Irons with zero fit senior centre-halves to host Mikel Arteta’s side and Moyes will need to get creative with how he sets up.
Declan Rice could drop back in if needed and Ben Johnson and Aaron Cresswell could complete the back three unless Aji Alese is given a chance from the academy after a very successful season for the young Englishman with the Hammers’ Under-23s.
In other West Ham news, Another of the Irons’ players should be sold after a dismal 2/10 display at Stamford Bridge.
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