Shay Given stands up for Nuno Espirito Santo after bizzare West Ham call vs Brighton
Nuno Espirito Santo arguably got it all wrong as West Ham drew with Brighton on Sunday.
West Ham could only manage a 1-1 draw at Brighton despite having arguably the better chances with a lack of possession throughout the 90.
The Hammers had Jarrod Bowen to thank after his strike against Brighton as he found the bottom corner from a seemingly impossible angle.
Georginio Rutter netted a controversial equaliser against West Ham and stole a point for the home side despite there being a handball and potential foul in the build-up.
The Frenchman’s strike ended any hope of a win for Nuno, with Shay Given quick to defend him even after the Irons faithful voiced their frustration towards the head coach.
Shay Given backs Nuno Espirito Santo changes vs Brighton
Rutter’s goal against West Ham arguably should have been ruled out after what looked to be an accidental handball from the attacking midfielder.
The immediacy of the offence worked in the Seagulls’ favour as Alphonse Areola’s initial save ultimately stopped the strike from being ruled out.
His equaliser came less than 10 minutes after Nuno had moved to shore up his defence with a mass of bizarre changes.
Tomas Soucek, Ezra Myers and Soungtou Magassa were brought on for Lucas Paqueta, El Hadji Malick Diouf and Matheus Fernandes.
A triple defensive change came as a surprise, as Brighton were certainly there to be countered, and it instead piled further pressure on the Irons.
Given has stood up for Nuno on Match of the Day, even if the changes ultimately failed and ultimately cost the claret and blue outfit.
He said: “I feel for Nuno a bit because I feel the goal was controversial, but I do feel he’s bringing on three fresh sets of legs and a lot of height as well, so he’s going to defend the box.
“You’re away from home in the Premier League, so I wouldn’t be too hard on Nuno. I do feel his frustration.“
Nuno got it wrong for West Ham vs Brighton
The former Nottingham Forest boss doesn’t care about how his football looks, as long as it garners results and points on the board.
That was certainly on show away to Brighton, with the Hammers having a stunning lack of possession before taking the lead.
Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Crysencio Summerville showcased the opportunities to counterattack throughout the Amex clash, but were cut short in their efforts.
All but the skipper were taken off from that front three, and it arguably had a disrupting effect before the Seagulls went on to equalise.
Nuno arguably made the wrong call and would have been better off trusting in the more attack-minded players he already had on the pitch.
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