David Moyes admits referee Anthony Taylor was right to give Arsenal a penalty for Vladimir Coufal’s tackle during West Ham United’s defeat, speaking on BT Sport 1 (15/12, 22:29).
The Irons lost 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night through goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe. The result saw Arsenal move above West Ham into fourth in the Premier League table by a point, as well.
Alexandre Lacazette had a chance to give Arsenal a two-goal lead earlier in the second-half before Smith Rowe’s goal. But Lukasz Fabianski dove well to his left-hand side to keep the Frenchman’s penalty attempt out after Taylor adjudged Coufal to have fouled the striker.
Taylor also sent Coufal off for a second yellow card, having already booked the defender in the first-half. The referee deemed the Czech full-back to have made excessive contact with Lacazette during his follow-through, while also only making minimal contact with the ball.
Moyes gives honest verdict on Coufal penalty incident
West Ham would have been forgiven for feeling Arsenal’s penalty, along with Coufal’s red card, was unjust. But Moyes admits his £5.5m man gave the referee a decision to make and ultimately, one Taylor got right.
“We’ve had a weekend just gone of really soft penalty kicks, and I think that Anthony Taylor may have this one right,” Moyes said. “I think we do get the ball, and I’d like to claim it. But I think Vladimir should have got better contact on the ball.
“He should have either got his foot to it and toe-poke the ball away. Or if he’s going to block it, then he has to get a fuller contact on the ball. But I still think that the referee on the pitch could have quite easily not have given it because of the contact [with the ball].
“I think the follow-through was probably the reason for it. He should have toe-poked the ball away, or he should have blocked it. I didn’t think it was that difficult a tackle to make.”
Coufal red in Arsenal defeat adds to Moyes’ West Ham woes
Fabianski did superbly to stretch to his left and keep Lacazette’s penalty out. But Coufal’s red card against Arsenal will give West Ham greater problems down the road.
Moyes was already without backup right-backs Ben Johnson and Ryan Fredericks through injuries. While Aaron Cresswell also failed to make his return to action in north London.
Michail Antonio returned to his wing-back days to provide the Irons instant cover at the Emirates Stadium. But Moyes is unlikely to stick with the striker in defence against Norwich City on Saturday, when the Hammers go in search of a second win in seven league games.
So, academy star Harrison Ashby could make his full Premier League debut after featuring as a substitute on Wednesday. The 20-year-old played the final six-minutes of West Ham’s defeat to Arsenal. He has also played once in the Europa League and two EFL Cup ties.
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