Warnock and Smith disagree on Fulham v West Ham United controversy amid ‘howler’ admission
Stephen Warnock and Sue Smith were split on whether Max Kilman should have had a penalty awarded against him during West Ham United’s draw at Fulham.
Speaking on Sky Sports News’ Ref Watch (16 September, 11:24), the pundits couldn’t agree on whether Fulham should have been awarded a spot-kick for Kilman’s shove on Adama Traore in the first half.
The Hammers centre-back was beaten for pace on the turn by the Spain winger and nudged him over from behind, but got away with his indiscretion after the referee called play on.
Warnock said: “I think it’s a penalty. I always go back to that point of an attacking player getting in front of the defender – as soon as you get that arm on the shoulder you’ve got every right to go down.
Smith replied: “I’m not sure. This is one of those that if it’s given, it’s not going to get overturned.
“I just think it’s a fifty-fifty, allow the referee to make that decision. He’s made the decision that it isn’t a penalty – it’s not an absolute howler.”
Max Kilman and West Ham get lucky against Fulham
Julen Lopetegui will have been thankful that the referee spared Kilman’s blushes at Craven Cottage, but less so when Raul Jimenez gave Fulham a deserved 1-0 lead a matter of minutes later.
The Irons were woefully under-par in almost every regard, particularly in the first half, though did manage to rescue a point through Danny Ings’ equaliser with the very last kick of the game.
Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos being run ragged by Emile Smith Rowe and co in the first half will be a further cause for concern in Lopetegui’s preparations for the next game – at home to Chelsea.
With Jean-Clair Todibo waiting in the wings following his high-profile loan signing from Nice, the Spaniard may be minded to finally give the 24-year-old his first Hammers start next time out.
Fellow new signing Kilman is unlikely to be dropped given how poor Mavropanos was at Craven Cottage, and it may be time for Lopetegui’s new-look centre-back partnership to finally take shape.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are reported to be “pending” negotiations for a brand-new defensive signing on a free transfer.
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