Sky Sports pundit backtracks over what was said about West Ham live on air
Sue Smith has now accepted that the challenge from Brighton’s Pervis Estupinan on Max Kilman during the clash at West Ham on Saturday was a red card.
The two sides saw out a 1-1 draw on Saturday [21 December], but there was controversy as Brighton kept 11 men on the pitch despite a reckless challenge from Pervis Estupinan on Max Kilman.
Covering the game live on Soccer Saturday at the time, Smith took the view that a yellow card was fair enough, as agreed by Mike Dean.
However, speaking on Sky Sports News on Monday [23 December, 11:02am], Smith admitted her view had changed as she said: “I said it was a strong yellow, but I did wince when I first saw it.
“I’ve seen it again and he’s out of control. It’s the fact it’s both legs. It’s a red and I’m surprised VAR didn’t ask the referee to go over to the screen.”
West Ham should have been playing against a 10 man Brighton
It was a pretty poor game between the Hammers and Brighton as they saw out a 1-1 draw and, although it’s another point on the board, Julen Lopetegui would have surely hoped for more against an out-of-form side as he tries to prove himself at the London Stadium.
Therefore, this would have been a frustrating moment for the Irons on Saturday as the challenge from Estupinan was absolutely reckless and deserving of a red card, with Kilman no doubt feeling relieved to come away from that without a series injury.
With VAR in use in the Premier League, this is exactly the time you want it used – and used properly – and Smith highlights why.
At the time of first seeing it, both the referee and the pundit didn’t think it looked too bad. But, with the benefit of hindsight, Smith changed her view on the decision yet the referee didn’t have the opportunity to do so.
The challenge was in the 84th minute of the game so it is unlikely it would have made a massive difference to the game or the result, but the Hammers will surely feel like the luck is really going against them at the moment.
In other West Ham news, one Sky Sports pundit was left in awe of a Hammers star after what he did against Brighton.
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