Ian Wright delivers his verdict on whether West Ham United’s Manuel Lanzini dived against Stoke City

Follow us on Google Discover

West Ham United ran out 3-0 winners over Stoke City yesterday.

Ian Wright has accused West Ham United midfielder Manuel Lanzini of diving to win a penalty on BBC Match of the Day, which was broadcast on BBC One on 17th December.

West Ham beat Stoke City 3-0 yesterday at the Bet365 Stadium, but the story may have been very different.

The Hammers won a very controversial penalty in the first-half, with Lanzini crumbling under a challenge from Erik Pieters.

Mark Noble duly converted the spot kick to put West Ham in front, but Wright felt that Lanzini was fortunate to be awarded the foul.

“I think Mark Hughes has every right to be unhappy because I do believe it was a dive,” Wright said. “Pieters doesn’t challenge him at all. Lanzini is already on his way down.

“I’m pleased for West Ham and Moyes. He’s really got those players going.”

Despite the controversial nature of West Ham’s first goal, they were the dominant force in the contest.

West Ham scored two more goals in the second half, with Marko Arnautovic and Diafra Sakho both getting on the scoresheet.

West Ham have now taken seven points from their last nine, with David Moyes sparking a big improvement at the London Stadium.

The Hammers have now leapfrogged Stoke in the Premier League standings, and moved out of the relegation zone.