Sutton slams West Ham player for giving Moyes an ‘absolute nightmare’

Joe Williams
West Ham defender Aaron Cresswell is sent off

Chris Sutton has hit out at West Ham defender Aaron Cresswell for getting sent off in their 1-0 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday night in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final.

The Hammers lost 3-1 on aggregate to the Bundesliga side who received an early boost when Cresswell was sent off for pulling down Eintracht forward Jens Hauge in the 19th minute.

Rafael Santos Borre scored the only goal of the game shortly after to send the German side through to the final against Rangers in Seville later this month.

Eintracht Frankfurt end West Ham’s European run on a night of red mist

And Sutton thought Cresswell’s decision to “risk” beating Hauge to the ball was a bad one with the defender’s sending off giving West Ham manager David Moyes “an absolute nightmare scenario”.

Speaking on BT Sport, Sutton said: “I thought it was a red the first time I saw it. I think it’s poor defending from Cresswell.

“This ball travels a long way and he takes a risk trying to nip in front of Hauge, who’s used his body extremely well.

“If he’s not sure he’s going to win it then he shouldn’t risk it. He does and it’s a denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

“Hauge uses his body correctly and the referee was right to be sent to the monitor and overturn the yellow card.

“It’s an absolute nightmare scenario for David Moyes but it’s the correct decision.”

On the decision to send Cresswell off, Moyes said after the match: “I thought it wasn’t great officiating tonight, but I think Aaron’s given the referee a decision to make.

“I was more disappointed with the bench of Eintracht Frankfurt. You don’t react in that way. Maybe that’s what we need to do. We do it by Queensbury rules. And it comes back to haunt you.”

Moyes was also sent off towards the end of the match when the West Ham boss booted a ball back towards a ball boy who had just retrieved the ball.

On the incident, Moyes added: “I’m disappointed but extremely proud of the players’ performance, especially with 10 men.

“Many teams would have crumbled and lost by two or three but we kept having a go and tried to create some opportunities.

“I have to apologise for kicking the ball, but the ball boy left it short and it was nicely on the volley for me. But I apologised for it.”

 

West Ham United Aaron Cresswell

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