David Moyes: Michail Antonio was stupid to lunge in
David Moyes was unhappy with the way Michail Antonio lunged in on Saturday which saw West Ham end the Southampton game with ten men.
Having won the Player of the Month for August, the 31-year-old started September in the worst possible manner.
Not only did he blank in front of goal, but also ended up getting a red card, which will now see him miss the next game for the Hammers – a devastating blow as they did not sign a new striker this summer.
Speaking in aftermath of the game, BT Sport quoted Moyes as saying,
“Having been booked the first time, he was stupid to lunge in but these things in football happen, so we’re not going to make too big a deal of it.
“He’s got himself sent off and at the time it looked like the referee probably got it right.”
Silly move
That challenge was orange territory in itself so even if he wasn’t on a suspension, that’s one he should’ve looked to avoid.
It occurred in the opposition penalty area so there was no real reason for him to do it as well.
The game looked like it was heading for a stalemate and the Hammers were in no immediate risk of being hit on the counter attack.
Usually, players tend to take one for the team, if there’s a chance of the other team running at goal and scoring on the break, but this wasn’t the case on Saturday afternoon.
Antonio, who has been labelled “phenomenal” in Guardian’s February 2021 piece, will have been fuming at his performances.
Moyes, who has been vocal in his admiration of Antonio in the past, will have been fuming behind closed doors.
Had this happened earlier, there was a real risk of him costing his side the game and for someone that experienced, Antonio must know better.
In other West Ham news, Report details reason behind major player decision, Hammers wanted to sign him
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