Jamie Redknapp rages at ‘rank’ Kurt Zouma and Thilo Kehrer as Sky Sports broadcast West Ham United footage v Newcastle
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp has raged at West Ham defender Kurt Zouma and Thilo Kehrer for their role in Newcastle’s second goal in their 5-1 defeat at the London Stadium on Wednesday (5 April).
The centre-back could only watch on as Newcastle attacker Joelinton burst through on goal before rounding Lukasz Fabianski to score his side’s second goal of the night.
The linesman initially ruled the goal out, but a VAR check proved that West Ham left-back Emerson was playing the Brazilian onside.
Speaking on Sky Sports Main Event at half-time on Wednesday night (08:57pm, 5 April), Redknapp said: “You can see the defenders there – you’ve got to communicate. Kehrer doesn’t see him but maybe put your arm on him and stop him running.
“Zouma doesn’t open up his body so he can’t see what’s behind him. A straight ball should never, ever get through. That is such rank, bad defending from West Ham’s point of view.”
Unlike the Hammers
The match at the London Stadium saw two clubs with strong defensive records this season going head-to-head, but neither could back up that characteristic in the match at the London Stadium.
Both clubs not only conceded first half goals, but handed their opponents very easy goals, with the home side’s defence in particular failing to realise the threat of Newcastle’s attackers in the final third.
Scoring goals has been the thorn in the side of West Ham this season, with the club’s stern defence ensuring the Hammers are not sitting at the very bottom of the table.
But they simply fell apart against Eddie Howe’s men, with the impressive Magpies not in need of a second invitation in their pursuit of Champions League football.
Zouma and Aguerd had only just played a key role in keeping a clean sheet against Southampton on Sunday (2 April), but any chances of a second successive league clean sheet quickly disappeared against Newcastle.