Crysencio Summerville being penalised for his challenge on Manuel Akanji left Julen Lopetegui “furious” as West Ham United lost at Manchester City.
BBC Sport reporter Simon Stone posted on X (4 January), having spotted the contrasting reactions of the respective benches after play was brought back with Summerville running clean through on goal.
Lopetegui’s animated reaction led to a booking for the Hammers boss in the 4-1 defeat, but Pep Guardiola didn’t think there was much in it either.
Stone said: “Manuel Akanji just got away with getting the ball taken off him on halfway by Crysencio Summerville – West Ham man would have been clean through.
“Ref Michael Salisbury blew for a foul. Julen Lopetegui furious. Pep Guardiola’s reaction suggested he didn’t think there was much in it.”
West Ham denied reprieve in first half v Manchester City
Had the referee waved play on following Summerville’s 50-50 challenge with Akanji on halfway, the Irons winger would have been straight through, and you’d back him to have netted the equaliser from there.
Summerville has already made an impact against Manchester clubs this season, scoring the opener for Lopetegui’s side at home to Manchester United, and there’s no doubt he’d have backed himself, too.With City already 1-0 up at the time thanks to Vladimir Coufal’s unfortunate early own goal, Summerville being denied by the referee’s whistle was made even crueller by Haaland heading in their second.Lopetegui being booked in frustration is hardly surprising given the innocuous nature of the Dutchman’s challenge, with even Guardiola seemingly thinking a verdict of ‘play on’ wouldn’t have been unfair.
The Spaniard will know that he is under serious pressure now after another heavy defeat, even if the performance was better, you cannot keep losing by this many goals.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are one of several Premier League clubs offered the chance to sign an international winger this month.
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