Gary O’Neil
GARY O’NEIL pulled no punches in his assessment of West Ham’s controversial opener during Cherries’ 2-0 defeat and insisted: “I can’t understand how that would be given.” Kurt Zouma’s first goal since November 2021 was allowed to stand by VAR Mike Dean, despite a handball by Thilo Kehrer aiding the Irons to go one goal up at London Stadium. Kehrer scooped Jarrod Bowen’s corner into the air before the ball was headed clear by Chris Mepham, nodded back by Tomas Soucek and eventually over the line via the top of Zouma’s head. The word from Stockley Park was that because the handball was not deliberate, and had not led directly to the goal, it was allowed to stand. Interim boss O’Neil was booked for his protests just before half-time and made his feelings clear to referee David Coote at full-time.
Gary O Neil said: “I’m doing that every game at the minute. In with the referee discussing decisions. I’m obviously disappointed with the first goal. I thought it was a terrible decision. The first goal cannot stand. It’s impossible for me that that is a goal. His arm moved towards the ball, it impacted where the ball was going. I can’t understand how that would be given. Talk about hands in a natural or unnatural position. His hands are in front of his stomach and they move towards the ball in the build-up to the goal. I also think there was a foul in the build-up to the goal as well. I think, more subtle but I expect it to be looked at. I went in (to see the referee) to find out about the Jefferson Lerma foul on (Aleksandar) Mitrovic at Fulham. The information I received was that Jefferson Lerma impeded Mitrovic without looking at the ball. If you watch Flynn Downes in the build-up (on Monday). He affects Marcos Senesi by putting his arm over him while looking in the complete opposite direction of the ball. I expect that to be looked at. The handball for the first goal, I just can’t even believe we have to discuss it. It’s a handball 100 times out of 100. Really, really surprised.”
O’Neil was left further frustrated after Cherries full-back Jordan Zemura was judged to have handled in the box when blocking Vladimir Coufal’s cross in the latter stages, with Said Benrahma converting the penalty for 2-0. Hammers boss David Moyes has complained recently that too many calls were going against his side – but the Scot insisted he had not seen enough of the incidents against Cherries to make a comment.
Gary O Neil said: “I’ve genuinely not seen any of the incidents. Obviously Bournemouth are disappointed with how it went. But what I would say is our performance merited better goals than we scored.”
