West Ham players and fans have taken to Twitter to both poke fun at and praise midfielder Josh Cullen after he lost a tooth during the Hammers’ FA Cup tie at Shrewsbury Town.
In a dull 0-0 draw at Joe Hart’s former club, the most eye catching moment came from Cullen, who unfortunately lost a fang in a challenge with Shrews captain Abu Ogogo with 15 minutes left.
On the end of a high boot from Ogogo, Cullen’s tooth flew out from is mouth, leaving him pouring with blood and forcing him to the sidelines for some treatment on the on-hand medical staff/impromptu dentist.
Not to be deterred however, the midfielder carried on after a quick patch-up to complete the full 90 minutes – and earned plenty of plaudits for his bravery from onlookers.
Manager David Moyes was only once of those who was more than impressed, saying: “Josh was probably our best player today. Considering he’s only just come back and we’re getting to know him, he did well.
Ouch!! West Ham’s Josh Cullen loses a tooth! pic.twitter.com/8cp3mU38Oe
— Tim Shires (@timshires) January 7, 2018
“He had two teeth knocked out and he’s gone straight to A&E to see if they can save them. Reidy just felt his groin kicking one at the end and we certainly don’t need to add to it [the injury list].”
The Hammers will replay Shrewsbury at the London Stadium to decide who makes it through to the competition’s fourth round.
While Cullen may not have found it so funny, some of his team-mates, and the fans, thought otherwise …
Mind the gap @JoshCullen8
— MARK NOBLE (@Noble16Mark) January 7, 2018
West Ham's Josh Cullen lost some teeth in that tackle.
It really has been a toothless performance by West Ham. pic.twitter.com/XqLuxrPgHI
— Coral (@Coral) January 7, 2018
Josh Cullen stood on the sidelines in his pants, missing a tooth, with blood pouring out of his mouth and desperate to get back on. Our First XI could learn a lot from him.#SHRWHU
— Special K (@DannyKirkles) January 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/hammerandtalk/status/950028936058204160
Stuart Pearce looking at Josh Cullen be like: "I played on with a broken leg, you'll get no sympathy from me."
— KUMB.com: West Ham United FC Online (@kumbdotcom) January 7, 2018
Cullen's tooth covered more distance than Hernandez did in the entire game. #SHRWHU
— West Ham Rob (@OpulentCockney) January 7, 2018
Poor Cullen’s just had his tooth pure booted out of his head
— ginge💚 (@ell_johnson97) January 7, 2018