da cassino： As a truly phenomenal season comes to a close, I would like to take note of the success of one club that have, perhaps, not received the media attention that they deserve. Of course, Leicester and Tottenham have taken the spotlight, and that’s fair enough, but West Ham definitely deserve praise for their efforts throughout the season, and I believe that the season could have been even better for the Hammers.
da bwin： West Ham have been the victim of many incorrect decisions by the referee’s this term, perhaps most notably when Jon Moss awarded Leicester a last-minute penalty a few weeks ago, which ultimately cost Slaven Bilic’s side two points.
In fact, the Irons have been on the wrong end of so many refereeing mistakes this term that they’ve actually missed out to the degree they should be in second spot, not sixth, had each decision in every game for all teams been correct. With this in mind, here are the FIVE biggest decisions that have gone against the east London side…
Leicester’s late leveller
As mentioned in the introduction, Moss awarded Leicester a last ditch penalty, which Leonardo Ulloa calmly converted to rescue the game for his side not long ago. Moss, according to research by youtheref.com, has made more errors than any other referee this season, which tells the story! Moss also sent off Foxes striker Jamie Vardy during the match, however, his late decision against Andy Carroll ultimately cost the Hammers a vital victory.
Lanzini looks onside
West Ham’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Arsenal at the Boleyn Ground also proved to be costly. Manuel Lanzini headed home for the Hammers in the 12th minute but the goal was incorrectly ruled out for offside. Andy Carroll stole the show scoring this season’s fastest hat-trick, but the Gunners were lucky to leave east London with a point after replays showed that the Hammers were unlucky not to have added one more goal to their tally.
Chelsea’s luck denies yet another victory
West Ham were unlucky again in a London Derby, this time against 20114/15 champions, Chelsea. Manuel Lanzini put the visitors 1-0 up at Stamford Bridge before Cesc Fabregas levelled. Andy Carroll looked to have won the game for West Ham before referee Robert Madley awarded the blues a spot kick in the last minute for a foul on Ruben Loftus-Cheek. A foul that replays showed, was just the young midfielder tripping over his own feet.
Kouyate cannot believe it
I can assure you that West Ham did actually win a London derby this year, in fact the Hammers won four of their London clashes, but they suffered yet again in a key London fixture against Crystal Palace. West Ham led the Eagles 2-1 before Mark Clattenberg sent off Cheikhou Kouyate for a foul on Dwight Gayle, who went on to score the equalising goal just eight minutes later. Gayle himself admitted that he did not think the challenge was ‘too bad’.
Man United lucky to keep 10 men
Not many teams win at Old Trafford (Even Manchester United find it hard to win there sometimes!) but West Ham had the perfect opportunity to beat Louis van Gaal’s Red Devils when the two sides met in a 0-0 draw in December. Bastian Schweinsteiger should have been sent off for raising his arm at West Ham defender, Winston Reid, and it’s hard to imagine that West Ham wouldn’t have capitalised if United were reduced to 10 men, especially with the likes of Dimitri Payet in their ranks.
All in all, West Ham have suffered from some serious referee mistakes this season and had all decisions been correct (for all teams), The Hammers would actually be in 2nd place in the Premier League, only behind Leicester. Slaven Bilic’s team should be proud of their efforts in their final season at the Boleyn Ground and who knows, maybe we could be seeing Champions League football at the Olympic Stadium in the very near future…