West Ham United manager David Moyes has expressed his disappointment with the performance of the officials in the Hammers’ 2-2 draw with Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.
Moyes was careful in his criticism, as to not pick up a touchline ban or a fine, but his feelings towards certain decisions on the day were plain to see.
The main decision that Moyes took umbrage with was the call to not send off Bruno Guimaraes – he spoke about it in length during the post-match interview.
What did David Moyes say regarding the decisions at the weekend?
Speaking after the game, Moyes said [via NewcastleWorld]: “Tactically we found it a little bit difficult to deal with Trippier’s situation down the right but it might have got away with us a little bit and I wouldn’t blame them with the referee’s decision for the free kick that led to the first goal.
“I think on another day it wouldn’t have been given but I’ve got to be more disappointed by how we defended it. That was pretty harsh on us, as was the decision that could have been a second yellow card.
“I don’t know. I’m not going to say anything as I might get in trouble. I just thought it was a really close call. You [journalists] watch football so you can make a decision if you think it was or wasn’t.
“I don’t think it is a free-kick [for Newcastle’s first goal]. I’m really disappointed with a few decisions today. The two goals we concede are terrible, so they are bigger faults. We are not here to talk about the referees but their player [Bruno Guimaraes] is very lucky not to see a second yellow.”
Should Bruno Guimaraes have been sent off against West Ham?
Guimaraes was very lucky to have avoided dismissal in the Hammers’ game against Newcastle. After being shown a yellow card, he then took out James Ward-Prowse on the halfway line.
It appeared to be a clear yellow card offence, which would have seen Guimaraes sent off – however, referee Peter Bankes opted to not hand the Toon midfielder a second yellow.
In a game of such fine margins, this will come as a source of frustration for Hammers fans – especially as the Magpies’ two goals of the afternoon came shortly after this decision.