Richard Keys rages at ‘Howlers’ as officials ‘Conned’ in West Ham United loss v Newcastle
Richard Keys has exploded at officials Rob Jones and David Coote after their decisions in West Ham United’s 4-3 defeat to Newcastle.
The Hammers let a 3-1 lead slip late on at St James’ Park, with Alexander Isak scoring two penalties to help the home side.
And writing in his blog (2 April), BeIN Sports host Keys questioned how the second penalty for a foul by Kalvin Phillips was given while Dan Burn escaped punishment in the game and claimed Anthony Gordon “conned” the officials.
“What a weekend it was for ref howlers. Mind you – when isn’t it?” he said.
“In no particular order – Antony Gordon conned Rob Jones twice. Well – once. The hapless David Coote, in VAR, was to blame for the second error.
“What did you see that was ‘clear and obvious’ David? I saw simulation. So did everyone that wasn’t supporting Newcastle.
“Why didn’t Jones send Dan Burn off for taking Kudus out when he was clean through? It was a denial. Burns made no attempt to play the ball. It was a clear red.”
Richard Keys is right, West Ham United were robbed
Obviously the big story of the weekend game between the Hammers and Newcastle was the fact that West Ham blew a 3-1 lead, but the context is being left out.
The Hammers were in cruise control until David Moyes withdrew Michail Antonio, and the decision to give a penalty against Kalvin Phillips for the ‘foul’ on Anthony Gordon was laughable.
But there has also been minimal conversation about the Dan Burn incident on Kudus, which would have extended the team’s lead even further and could have killed the game.
For nobody to be talking about those decisions is absurd, and the Irons deserve to be given some credit for their performance even though the eventual collapse was unacceptable.
Ultimately the officials cost them the game and helped turn the tide in Newcastle’s favour, and the refereeing in the Premier League needs a serious overhaul during the post-season.
In other West Ham news, Paul Merson has predicted the result of the big clash with Spurs.
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