But easy to see why Reds were handed match-winning penalty
Monday 7 April 2014 11:05, UK
Glenn Hoddle says the officials made just ONE error during a controversial game at the Boleyn Ground.
Liverpool won the encounter 2-1 to move top of the Premier League table, but not before each side profited from contentious decisions and ended up rippling the net.
West Ham equalised Liverpool’s first penalty – given when Hammers defender James Tomkins handled the ball – with Ivorian full-back Guy Demel prodding in his first Irons goal.
But former Red Andy Carroll appeared to clamber all over visiting goalkeeper Simon Mignolet in the build-up and Sky Sports pundit Hoddle says the West Ham frontman committed a ‘banker foul’ and that the goal should not have stood.
However, the ex-Tottenham and Chelsea boss says referee Anthony Taylor got it right when handing Liverpool a match-winning spot-kick, despite Hammers’ keeper Adrian touching the ball before colliding with the marauding Jon Flanagan.
And Hoddle thinks a victory over Manchester City on next week’s Super Sunday could give the Merseysiders that final push towards a first title since 1990.
“For me, Adrian doesn’t get enough of the ball, (he) comes over the top if it, and makes contact with Flanagan,“ said Hoddle, after watching Liverpool rack up a ninth straight Premier League win.
“I can see why the referee has awarded a penalty - but I do think the decision has been made because of the earlier decision for West Ham.
“Carroll on Mignolet is an absolute banker of a foul, as he hits him on the head, claws his elbow and drags him down, ensuring the ball slips out of the ‘keeper’s hands.
“However, Liverpool got a huge win and if they can beat Man City next week their belief will be magnified and that might get them over the line - but it’s not done and dusted yet and there are still a few hurdles to overcome.”
Steven Gerrard converted both of Liverpool’s penalties, but Jamie Redknapp says the 33-year-old midfielder was also exceptional in open play in East London against spirited opposition.
“I thought before the game that all the motivation was with Liverpool and wondered what West Ham had to play for,” said Redknapp, who won seven honours during his time with the Anfield club.
“But they showed desire and made Liverpool dig in – and Liverpool did, with Gerrard an inspiration to everyone in his team.
“The amount of times he got on the ball and [Luis] Suarez got on his bike, you’d think they were telepathic.
“Suarez knows Gerrard will hit him, and the captain’s passing here was pin-point accurate.”
