Jamie O’Hara could not believe that Micky Van de Ven was booked after being kicked by Mohammed Kudus in West Ham versus Tottenham on Saturday (19 October).
Frustrations started to flair in the final stages of the Premier League clash, with the Hammers going 4-1 down after scoring the opener, and Kudus’ red card was just another blow for Julen Lopetegui.
Having kicked the Spurs defender, the Ghanaian then hit him in the face. Referee Andrew Madley handed both players a yellow card before a VAR review saw the Hammers star’s card turn red.
Taking to X on Saturday (19 October), O’Hara wrote: “How is the ref booking Van de Ven? It’s a disgrace. Kudus kicks him twice and then pushes him in the face. Disgrace of a decision – VAR a joke too.”
Mohammed Kudus headloss in West Ham United v Tottenham
Kudus can have absolutely no objections when it comes to his red card, but Spurs will certainly be aggrieved after Van de Ven was carded for his role in the altercation.
There is no question that the Hammers players were becoming more and more frustrated, with Tomas Soucek picking up a yellow card for dissent, but Lopetegui cannot allow this to happen.
The Hammers will now be without one of their attacking stars for three matches, so Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Michail Antonio will need to pick up the pieces over that period.
One of the biggest concerns will be how Lopetegui’s side fell apart at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Kudus opened the scoring after 18 minutes but the comeback was far too easy for Spurs.
The team finally looked to be heading in the right direction following the 4-1 win over Ipswich Town but they are back to square one following their 4-1 defeat to Spurs on Saturday.
In other West Ham news, Ally McCoist was wowed by one Hammers star before an “outstanding” moment emerged v Tottenham
Kudus was dismissed in the 86th minute of the Hammers’ 4-1 defeat in North London on Saturday (19 October), during which the Ghanaian had himself opened the scoring in the first half.
An initial booking from referee Andy Madley was upgraded to a red card following a VAR review, which confirmed Kudus shoved both Micky van de Ven and Pape Sarr in the face.
McCoist, speaking live on TNT Sports [19 October, 14:13], said: “By the letter of the law, [Madley] is right. But do you know what?
“Book him – and let’s get on with the game. I agree that by the letter of the law he’s going to send him off, he is, but that’s the way it is.
“I know you’re looking at me… I’m probably old-school, but give him a booking and get on with it.”
West Ham capitulate as Mohammed Kudus sees red
West Ham fans have every right to feel horrifically aggrieved following the events of the second half versus Spurs.
A first-half showing of value, in which Kudus himself put the Irons ahead after 18 minutes and saw his team lead for a further 18, was completely unravelled by an embarrassing second period.
