West Ham United picked up valuable points at home to Fulham in the Premier League on Friday night.
Sky Sports pundit Phil Thompson has backed West Ham ace Javier Hernandez for his ‘handball’ incident during Friday’s 3-1 win over Fulham by stating ‘it’s not like Thierry Henry’s’ handball for France.
The goal in question was the equalising goal in the first half, with the ball appearing to hit Hernandez’s hand as he attempted to head the ball into the net.
In 2009, France striker Henry purposely handled the ball during a World Cup play-off against the Republic of Ireland which stopped them from going to South Africa.
Speaking to Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports News (23/02/2019 at 12:20 pm), former defender Thompson insisted that the Hernandez situation was accidental, unlike Henry’s.
“The ball is going out for a goal kick and he knows it,” Thompson tells Soccer Saturday. “He [Hernandez] is expecting the referee and the officials to do their job. That’s why he lays on the floor.
“It’s not like Thierry Henry did it and he went running off to the fans. He has done it like, ‘oh my goodness, what a chance I have missed there’. I think it’s literally being that. I think it’s poor officiating and it’s a difficult one to actually see.”
For Manuel Pellegrini, he will see it as another valuable three points, whereas Claudio Ranieri will see it as another hammer blow in their attempts to stay in the division.
The Irons will be hoping to finish in the top 10 this season as the supporters will be hoping for some stability following a number of tough campaigns.
West Ham face current Premier League champions Manchester City on Wednesday night and if they can pick up three points then it will certainly send out a statement to the rest of the division.
Hernandez, who played for Manchester United during the early part of his career, will be hoping to start once again and prove his worth to his manager.
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