Carlton Cole has teased Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba for an incident during West Ham’s brilliant 4-1 away win at Villa Park on Sunday.
The Hammers finally eased to all three points, strengthening their place in the top four with a superb result. It keeps the pressure on Dean Smith.
West Ham took the lead through an unlikely source in Ben Johnson, a brilliant left-footed effort. Only for Ollie Watkins to equalise.
Declan Rice made it two soon after, perhaps a mistake from Emi Martinez. But the turning point came, when Ezri Konsa was sent off.
A VAR check deemed him last man, and the Hammers took advantage. Goals from Pablo Fornals and Jarrod Bowen made it 4-1 in the Midlands.
A clash between Fornals and Nakamba saw the latter sprawl around on the floor, rather embarrassingly. Cole gave a hilarious reaction on Twitter.
Cole on Nakamba: Should West Ham man Fornals have seen red at Villa?
Not a chance. Perhaps Villa felt aggrieved that they were down to 10 men, but ultimately, the incident leading up to Konsa’s red, should have got red.
That is because Kortney Hause landed an elbow into the face of Fornals – who was in the middle of all drama throughout. That deserved red.
Marching orders for Konsa was harsh, but understandable. But the tackle between Fornals and £11m (Sky) signing Nakamba was a simple 50-50.
Fornals is second and with both going to ground – contact is inevitable. What is not excusable, is Nakamba’s reaction – trying to influence the ref.
