Pat Nevin backs West Ham ace Aaron Cresswell after ‘incredibly harsh’ red
Pat Nevin has flown to the defence of West Ham defender Aaron Cresswell after his red card against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League semi-final.
The left-back hauled Norwegian forward Jens Petter Hauge to the ground and was sent after being booked following a VAR review.
The BBC pundit was far from convinced that David Moyes’ side should have been down to ten men, branding the decision “incredibly harsh.”
Nevin told BBC Sport: “Hauge knew what he was doing. He threw himself into Cresswell. As soon as Cresswell puts his arm out, down goes Hauge.
“Yes his arms were up and it’s a dangerous thing to do but the forward knows exactly what he’s doing there. Cresswell gets a good bit of the ball. He’s unlucky to be booked.
“After the VAR decision to show a red card instead. I think it’s incredibly harsh. Can’t argue now.”
Learning curve.
All good things must come to an end and that was the end of West Ham’s brilliant Europa League.
It was an incredibly frustrating night for the Hammers – after Cresswell’s red card they were left with a mountain to climb and fair play to the players, but they never gave up.
They fought right until the end and done themselves proud on a night when it would have been all too easy to throw in the towel.
The fans will be gutted because the Irons could have easily reached the final had they played the full game with eleven men.
These are the experiences the players will learn from and that will be crucial as the club look to progress and establish itself in Europe.
It has been a marvellous season to be proud of but unfortunately, it won’t end the way it deserves to.
In other West Ham news, a BBC pundit has urged West Ham to sign a £40million rated Chelsea wantaway, saying he would be a “great fit”.
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