Daily WHUFC News - 3rd January 2017

Bilic's unhappy New Year
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic frustrated with decisions as his side are beaten 2-0 by Manchester United
Hammers lost Sofiane Feghouli to a controversial red card early in the first half
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's goal is also allowed to stand, despite the Swede being clearly offside

Slaven Bilic did not mince his words after West Ham United's controversial 2-0 Premier League defeat by Manchester United at London Stadium. The Hammers endured an unhappy New Year as Sofiane Feghouli was sent-off inside the opening 15 minutes, having been deemed to have been guilty of serious foul play by referee Mike Dean for a challenge on Phil Jones. Having battled gamely for more than an hour and gone close to taking the lead on more than on occasion, Bilic's side conceded a Juan Mata goal before a clearly offside Zlatan Ibrahimovic made the game safe.

"I'm pleased with the performance," the manager began, focusing on the positives before being asked for his reaction to the big decisions which went against his team. "We fought very hard and if we gave everything and I told the guys that if we put in this work for each other then we're going to be very good in the table.
"Of course I'm gutted about the result but to do what we did with ten men against a very good team is very difficult. Despite that, we nearly found a way. We had one or two chances when it was still 0-0 and in these moments when you are one man down, you have to score. We didn't score and then they scored and won the game. "I'm very frustrated with the result and very frustrated with the way we lost it, but very proud of my team."

So, what did the manager think of the decisions to send-off Feghouli on his first Premier League start and allow Ibrahimovic's goal to stand?

"I am with the majority of what the football fans think and that is it was never a red card, to be fair," he observed. "It was a challenge from both of them and it is the other way around. The more dangerous foul is by Jones, because he went with the scissors. "Feghouli very rarely makes a foul and his foot was not high in the air. It's not deliberate and, for me, that was the crucial decision in the game. That early, it killed us and killed the game and put the game into a totally different perspective. "The decision for the other one [to award Ibrahimovic's goal] was totally unfair to us and totally wrong."

Overall, having seen his team create a number of opportunities to open the scoring after being reduced to ten men, the manager was proud of the way they reacted to the setbacks they faced. "We started really well," he said. "They were also good on the ball and for 15 minutes it looked like a really, really good and open game and I fancied us, to be fair. "After the decision, we played the only way you can play against a really good side and that is defending with numbers deep and letting them come with the centre-backs in your half. We were really good, but it's very difficult to do.

"In the first half we were dangerous on counter-attacks and we forced their 'keeper to produce a great save from Manuel Lanzini, then in the second half we started like that as well and limited them to one or two chances, especially in the first half when Randy made a great save. "Then we a great chance with Antonio and in those situations when you are defending, it's very hard and you lose energy, so you have to score that goal to give you extra boost of everything, especially at home. If we'd scored, anything would have been possible for us, including winning the game because they would have needed two goals. "We had to score, but we didn't score and from one of those attacks that they had, they scored a goal and then we conceded another one. It's frustrating because the second one was offside and then it's hard to come back. "To be fair, it was totally different to the Arsenal game. We didn't sink. We showed the character and we played as a team until the end and I told the guys that if we played like this in every game we will be higher up the table."

Finally, the manager told broadcasters not to read anything into his decision to replace Dimitri Payet with his side trailing by a single goal in the second half.
"Dimi is our best player, but we played a couple of days ago and the way he is playing in the game the position he is playing where he needs to go up and down, it drains you, so his substitution was tactical," he confirmed. West Ham will hope to return to winning ways when they host Manchester City in the Emirates FA Cup third round on Friday evening.

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United make extra man count
WHUFC.com

West Ham suffered a controversial home defeat as goals from Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic handed Manchester United a 2-0 win at London Stadium following the harsh sending-off of Sofiane Feghouli early in the game. The Hammers were always facing an uphill struggle following the controversial dismissal of Feghouli after just 14 minutes. The Algeria international was making his first Premier League start of the season but he was desperately unlucky to receive a red card following a challenge with United defender Phil Jones. The decision changed the course of the game and United made the extra man count as second half goals from Mata and Ibrahimovic handed them all three points. Despite being down to ten-men for the majority of the game, Slaven Bilic can still be pleased with the battling display his players produced and will be hoping they can get straight back on the winning trail when they host Manchester City in the Emirates FA Cup third round at London Stadium on Friday night. It could have been a different story if the Hammers had broken the deadlock after just ten minutes following a great move which resulted in a neat interchange between Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet and the Argentine midfielder saw his low shot superbly turned round the post by David de Gea diving low down to his left.
But the major talking point of the game arrived on 14 minutes following the harsh dismissal of Feghouli. Referee Mike Dean shocked the home crowd when he pulled out a red card and reduced the Hammers to ten-men after he adjudged the Algeria international had committed a professional foul on Jones. The decision infuriated Bilic and his backroom staff and the Hammers manager was forced to change his system and revert Michail Antonio from a central striking role into a wide position.
United were keen to make the extra man count and thought they had broken the deadlock on 35 minutes after Henrikh Mkhitaryan played the ball across to Antonio Valencia who had the goal at his mercy but he saw his close-range shot produce a superb save from Darren Randolph. The rebound fell to Jesse Lingaard who had an open goal to hit the ball into but he struck his effort against the post. United could have been made to pay as the Hammers created their best chance of the first half on the stroke of half-time. Antonio ball into Lanzini who curled a right-foot shot from the edge of the box which produced another fine save from De Gea. The Hammers showed all their fighting qualities and came close again on 53 minutes when Payet's free-kick fell perfectly for Antonio who rose above the United defence but he directed his header wide of the post.

Bilic must have sensed it was not going to be West Ham's day after Antonio had another golden chance to open the scoring on 59 minutes but failed to convert his chance. Lanzini played the perfect through ball into the path of the Hammers forward who was through on goal but he saw his shot kept out by the legs of De Gea.
United made the home side pay as they finally broke the deadlock on 62 minutes. Substitute Marcus Rashford cut the ball back for Mata and he fired the ball past Randolph into the corner of the net. Ibrahimovic sealed the victory for United on 77 minutes after Pedro Obiang's clearance hit Ander Herrera and the ball fell to the experienced forward who struck a low powerful shot into the corner of the net.

West Ham: Randolph, Nordtveit, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Kouyate (Fernandes 82), Obiang; Feghouli, Lanzini (Ayew 88), Payet (Carroll 69); Antonio
Subs not used: Adrian, Noble, Fletcher, Quina
Bookings: Payet, Nordtveit
Red Card: Feghouli

Manchester United: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Rojo, Darmian (Mata 46), Ander Herrera, Carrick, Pogba, Mkhitaryan (Smalling 62), Ibrahimovic, Lingard (Rashford 58)
Subs not used: Martial, Young, Romero, Fellaini.
Bookings: Darmian, Valencia

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
Attendance: 56,996

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Samuelsen rejoins Posh on loan
WHUFC.com

Martin Samuelsen has joined Peterborough United on loan until the end of the League One season
Norway winger enjoyed a productive spell with Posh last season, scoring twice in 20 appearances
Exciting teenager became a senior international last summer

West Ham United's promising Norway international winger Martin Samuelsen has joined Peterborough United on loan until the end of the season. The 19-year-old is linking up with Posh for a second time, having starred for the London Road club in League One and the Emirates FA Cup last season. The teenager scored two goals in 20 appearances for Peterborough last season, including a stunning individual effort in a 3-2 win at Sheffield United exactly a year ago on 2 January 2016.
Samuelsen, who made his Norway debut against Iceland last summer and scored his maiden international goal against San Marino in October, also spent time with Championship club Blackburn Rovers earlier this season. Peterborough manager Grant McCann, who came through the Academy of Football ranks and made four first-team appearances in Claret and Blue before enjoying a successful playing career in the Football League, is looking forward to working with the youngster.
Incidentally, Samuelsen has been brought into to replace another former Hammer, George Moncur, who has returned to his parent club Barnsley after spending the first half of 2016/17 in Cambridgeshire. "It is great to have Martin back at the club," said McCann. "He is well-loved by the players and the staff and of course the supporters, I am sure he will bring a lot more quality to us and we are looking forward to working with him again. "George has returned to Barnsley. They are similar players, but Martin can play in numerous positions for us whereas George could only really play in one. It is great to have that quality in the squad."

Samuelsen could make his second Peterborough 'debut' at promotion-chasing Scunthorpe United on Monday afternoon. Fellow young forward Jaanai Gordon joined Newport County on loan until the end of the League Two season on New Year's Day.

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Loanee round-up
WHUFC.com


Josh Cullen produced another Man of the Match display to help promotion-chasing Bradford City secure a 1-1 League One draw with Bury on New Year's Eve.

The on-loan West Ham United midfielder was at the hub of the Bantams' best moves against the struggling Shakers, but Stuart McCall's side were unable to secure all three points.

Bradford, who reportedly want to keep Cullen for the remainder of the season, are fifth in the table ahead of Monday's trip to Northampton Town.

The 20-year-old has been a virtual ever-present for Bradford this term, scoring once in 21 League One appearances.

Elsewhere, Lewis Page played the opening 45 minutes for Coventry City as the Sky Blues held Peterborough United to a 1-1 League One draw at London Road.

The left-back, who was making his 22nd league appearance for Coventry this season, was forced off with a minor injury. It remains to be seen if he will be fit to face second-place Bolton Wanderers at the Ricoh Arena on Monday.

Enner Valencia played the opening 74 minutes of Everton's 2-2 Premier League draw with Hull City on Friday evening. The Toffees host Southampton at Goodison Park on Monday afternoon.

Finally, striker Jaanai Gordon, 21, has joined League Two club Newport County on loan until the end of the 2016/17 season.

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Cullen extends Bradford loan
WHUFC.com

West Ham United youngster Josh Cullen has extended his loan at Sky Bet League One side Bradford City until the end of the season.

The Academy prospect has been with the Bantams since August, adding 23 appearances to the first spell he had on loan with the Yorkshire club last season.

Cullen, 20, has made great strides during his time with Bradford, helping Stuart McCall's men reach the League One Play-Offs last term before playing a central role in their promotion effort in 2016/17.

The Ireland U21 international has already made four first team appearances for the Hammers, despite his tender years, and notched his first senior goal earlier this campaign - helping Bradford to a 2-1 win over Milton Keynes Dons.

Cullen is excited to be continuing his development with league football at Bradford, telling their official website: "It was quite an easy decision for me and I've enjoyed playing my football here.

"Everything about the club - the staff, the players, the fans - they have all been brilliant with me both last season and this season so far."

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Randolph - We battled well
WHUFC.com

West Ham United goalkeeper Darren Randolph believes Friday's Emirates FA Cup third round tie against Manchester City offers the perfect chance for his team to bounce back.

The New Year weekend saw the Hammers suffer narrow defeats to Leicester City and Manchester United, but the performances warranted more.

Monday's loss to the Red Devils was particularly hard to take, given the circumstances around Sofiane Feghouli's 15th minute red card, but the resilience shown by Slaven Bilic's men in the face of adversity was heartening.

Randolph says that can give West Ham belief as they look to get their Cup campaign off to the perfect start.

He explained: "We had enough chances to get on the scoresheet and try and get something out of the game but it's always tough when you go down to ten men in any game. Especially against them.

"From where I was, the sending off just looked like two bodies jumping into the tackle. I just thought the ref stopped the game because Phil Jones was injured. Then he showed the red card.

"We battled on for most of the game with ten men, still creating chances, so we take confidence from that."

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Nordtveit - We were up against it
WHUFC.com

Norwegian Hammer Havard Nordtveit said West Ham were always facing a tough challenge with ten men against Manchester United
The hosts were beaten 2-0 by Jose Mourinho's outfit on Monday evening
Sofiane Feghouli's first half red card meant Slaven Bilic's side were up against it for 75 minutes at London Stadium

Havard Nordtveit admitted the Hammers were always facing an uphill task against Manchester United on Monday evening after they were reduced to ten men early in the first half.

Sofiane Feghouli received his marching orders from referee Mike Dean after just 15 minutes at London Stadium following his challenge on Phil Jones after a loose touch allowed the ball to slip away.

And despite Slaven Bilic's side going into the break level, goals from Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the second half meant the Red Devils would be heading home with three points in the bag after a 2-0 victory.

Nordtveit, who was making his third consecutive start in claret and blue, was, like every Hammer at London Stadium, left frustrated after the final whistle.

"After such a game, it's always hard," he said. "We worked hard and after ten or 15 minutes we were quite good in the game. We had good combinations and some decent chances.

"But when Feghouli got sent off, of course it was always going to be hard against a team like Manchester United. We know that eleven vs. eleven is a tough game against Man United and when we get a man sent off, it's hard at home against such a team.

"But it's part of football. We made the best out of it and we were more defensive, trying to use counter attacks and set-pieces. We also had a few chances, like Antonio who had a good chance.

"It could have gone both ways in my eyes but of course when they scored it was tough to come back."

The visitors broke the deadlock just after the half hour mark, when two substitutes combined in Marcus Rashford and Mata, with the latter finishing with aplomb past Darren Randolph.

Nordtveit had the unenviable task of looking after Rashford on the Hammers' right hand side, with the winger fresh having only played 18 minutes at the end of the Red Devils' New Years' Eve clash against Middlesbrough.

"Rashford of course is a quick guy," the Norwegian said. "Of course I'm not complaining or blaming [the result] on the fact that we played two days ago.

"But it was always going to be hard against Man United when we have a man sent off.

"In a way, we fought well during the game when we were one down and we would have loved it if we had got one point or maybe three from the game."

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Sofiane Feghouli: West Ham to appeal against midfielder's red card
BBC.co.uk

West Ham are appealing against the red card shown to Sofiane Feghouli during Monday's defeat by Manchester United. The midfielder was sent off by referee Mike Dean for a challenge on Red Devils defender Phil Jones 15 minutes into a match the Hammers lost 2-0. West Ham boss Slaven Bilic said Jones "made a meal" of the tackle from the Algeria international. Feghouli, 27, is the fifth player to be dismissed by Dean in the Premier League this season. Should a three-match ban be upheld, he would miss Friday's FA Cup third-round home tie against Manchester City, as well as Premier League games with Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough.

Dean in the spotlight

Bilic criticised Dean's decision to dismiss Feghouli, and many pundits focused on the referee's performance. Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville said Dean was "poor" but added much of the criticism directed at him was "disgraceful". Match of the Day pundit Martin Keown said: "It is a massive mistake from Mike Dean. It is remarkable, so early in the game too."
Writing in The Times, former Republic of Ireland international Tony Cascarino claimed Dean, 48, is "too old" to officiate in the Premier League, adding there was "no consistency in his decision-making" at London Stadium.
Former Sunderland forward Niall Quinn told Sky Sports: "I try very hard doing this job to understand how difficult it is for referees and not just jump on the bandwagon, but time and time again I look at this guy and his arrogance alone, and I suppose running the show and looking the part, and it puts me off."
Agreeing Dean "should be criticised" for the decision to send off Feghouli, Neville added that "to suggest he wanted to be centre of attention and he should be sacked or not referee again is wrong".

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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic accuses Man Utd defender Phil Jones after red card
BBC.co.uk

Manchester United defender Phil Jones "made a meal" of the challenge for which West Ham midfielder Sofiane Feghouli was controversially sent off, says Hammers boss Slaven Bilic. West Ham played for 75 minutes with 10 men after Feghouli was shown a straight red card by referee Mike Dean. Manchester United went on to win 2-0, their sixth straight league victory. "It was not a red card. Feghouli's foot was not high in the air, it was not deliberate," said Bilic.
Bilic said England international Jones had gone in "dangerously" on Feghouli, and said West Ham will appeal against the red card. "It was the key decision and it killed us. It put the game in a different perspective and was totally unfair for us," he added. "Phil made a meal of it, but you cannot blame him. Maybe he made a meal because he is the one who went dangerously and he is saving himself."
Match of the Day pundit Martin Keown said: "It is a massive mistake from Mike Dean. It is remarkable, so early in the game too. "I don't know how he can be so certain of who is fouling who. Sofiane Feghouli is trying to make a tackle, it is more a foul from Phil Jones. The reaction from him gets the player sent off."

Fellow MOTD expert Kevin Kilbane agreed: "It's such a bad decision and the reaction from Phil Jones might have helped in getting Sofiane Feghouli sent off. Feghouli should be given a reprieve."

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho said he did not feel sorry for West Ham after Feghouli's dismissal at London Stadium. "If you talk about decisions, we are the champions of bad decisions," added Mourinho.

The game was goalless when Feghouli became the fifth player to be sent off by Dean this season. West Ham dug deep before substitute Juan Mata gave the visitors the lead, Zlatan Ibrahimovic doubling the advantage despite being one of three players offside. "It was a big offside for the second goal," said Bilic. "When the players are sprinting it is hard for the referees, I am the first to say that. "But the players were walking. They should spot this."

Manchester United are one point behind fourth-placed Arsenal having played one more game than the Gunners.
West Ham, meanwhile, drop from 12th to 13th in the Premier League table.

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Sofiane Feghouli left out of Algeria's final Africa Cup of Nations squad
BBC.co.uk

West Ham attacking midfielder Sofiane Feghouli was a surprise omission as Algeria announced their final squad of 23 for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
Algeria's Belgian coach, George Leekens, had been expected to pick the 27-year-old for the tournament which kicks off on 14 January. Three other English Premier League stars have been named, including the Leicester duo of Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani as well as Watford's Adlene Guedioura. Another midfielder, Nabil Bentaleb, currently on a season-long loan at Schalke in Germany from Tottenham Hotspur, is also included. Algeria, among the pre-tournament favourites, also left out Carl Medjani, who has been a consistent choice since his debut in 2010. Leekens, who only took over as coach in October, picked uncapped 21-year-old Rennes defender Ramy Bensebaini in his squad who will warm-up with two friendly internationals against Mauritania next week before heading to the tournament. The Desert Foxes have been drawn in Group B at the Nations Cup, alongside Tunisia, Senegal and Zimbabwe. The teams will be based in Libreville with Algeria beginning their campaign against Zimbabwe on 15 January.

Algeria squad:

Goalkeepers: Rais Ouhab M'bolhi (Antalyaspor, Turkey), Malik Asselah (JS Kabylie, Algeria), Chemseddine Rahmani (MO Bejaia, Algeria)

Defenders: Mokhtar Belkhiter (Club Africain ,Tunisia), Mohamed Rabie Meftah (USM Alger, Algeria), Aissa Mandi (Real Betis, Spain), Hicham Belkaroui (Esperance, Tunisia), Liassine Cadamuro (Servette Geneva, Switzerland) , Mohamed Benyahia (USM Alger, Algeria), Ramy Bensebaïni (Stade Rennes, France), Faouzi Ghoulam (Napoli, Italy), Djamel Eddine Mesbah (FC Crotone ,Italy)

Midfielders: Adlène Guedioura (Watford, England), Saphir Taïder (Bologna, Italy), Nabil Bentaleb (Schalke 04, Germany), Mehdi Abeid (Dijon, France), Yassin Brahimi (FC Porto, Portugal), Rachid Ghezzal (Olympique Lyon, France)

Forwards: Islam Slimani (Leicester City, England), Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City, England), Hilal Soudani El Arabi (Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia), Baghdad Bounedjah (Al Sadd, Qatar), Sofiane Hanni (Anderlecht, Belgium)

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REF ANALYSIS: MIKE DEAN
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 2 JANUARY 2017 AT 9:48PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Sam Royden @SamRoyden

After a disappointing defeat away at Leicester on New Years Eve, we welcomed Manchester United to the London Stadium for the first fixture of 2017. Mike Dean was the referee appointed for this fixture and the last time Dean officiated a West Ham game, he gave two penalties including a last minute penalty to Spurs, which saw Spurs win 3-2 after West Ham went ahead twice on the night. Dean currently has the highest penalty per game ratio of any referee so far this season, awarding 9 penalties in 18 games in the Premier League.

Mike Dean, a referee who oozes arrogance and his admiration for the spotlight, probably earned himself the headlines within the first 15 minutes of the game. Mike Dean made an encouraging start to the game: he was in control and kept up with the fast tempo that West Ham set within the first 14 minutes. However, his good start was ruined by, in my opinion, a very poor decision to send off Sofiane Feghouli after a coming together with Phil Jones.

Mike Dean made countless errors with this decision which as a experienced referee, he shouldn't be making. Firstly, both Sofiane Feghouli and Phil Jones committed themselves to a 50/50 ball. When you look back at the incident, in fairness Phil Jones won the ball and Feghouli's challenge was late, but both players challenged the ball and both players caught each other one way or another. Secondly, both players are entitled to challenge for the ball. Feghouli wasn't using excessive force; his leg wasn't straight and wasn't leading with his studs and more importantly wasn't dangering Jones' safety. Finally, the reaction of Phil Jones and the Manchester United players, in my opinion, was a key factor in Dean's decision making. Dean blew for the foul, which was the correct decision because Feghouli didn't win the ball and correctly took his time to make his decision however he made an awful decision. As a referee, you cannot allow your decisions to be dictated by players reactions. The fact that Phil Jones was rolling around after the challenge while four Manchester United players were surrounding Dean played a massive part in his decision, which is absolutely unacceptable from a referee's prospective.

When I think back to challenges by Marcus Rojo earlier in the season, particularly when Manchester United visited Goodison Park when Rojo went in two footed and off the ground and only received a yellow card, makes this decision to send off Feghouli very embarrassing. Rojo dangered the safety of his opponent on numerous occasions by using excessive force. Mike Dean was also in charge of the Merseyside derby when he failed to send off Ross Barkley after a horrendously late and high challenge on Jordan Henderson.

Shortly after the red card, with the West Ham fans rightly furious and on Mike Deans back, Dean lost complete control of the match and felt the pressure which was effecting his decision making. Jesse Lingard caught Cheikhou Kouyaté late with his challenge which Mike Dean correctly blew for a foul, but in my opinion, should have been a booking. Lingard was late, the tackle wasn't necessary. Dean was clearly still thinking about his previous decision and it effected his judgement.
With his mindset clearly affected, Mike Dean cautioned Dimitri Payet for what I believe was dissent (only Mike Dean knows what Payet said to him but dissent is cause for a booking this season). After some challenges that Dean let go against Manchester United, Matteo Darmian was the first United player booked after blocking Michail Antonio, who was continuing his run into an advanced position. Before the yellow card for Darmian, Håvard Nordtveit could have been cautioned for his foul, which Mike Dean ignored, once again showing signs of poor judgement.

Mike Dean continued his poor performance by blowing up on a foul against Cheikhou Kouyaté on Henrikh Mkhitaryan. If you watched the game live on Sky Sports, I think Gary Neville's alliance with Manchester United made his decision slightly biased as he said 'It could have been a leg break'. Kouyaté won the ball, but the West Ham midfielder looked to be off the ground and that's when it can become dangerous.

To sum up a horrendous match for the officials, the assistant referee failed to flag Ibrahimovic offside for Manchester United's second goal of the match. The decision should have been simple for the assistant referee. West Ham's defensive line moved up leaving Ibrahimovic, who was static, two yards offside when receiving the ball. Sometimes it's fine margins with offside and human error can happen and sometimes it's an extremely difficult decision to make. But in this instance, Ibrahimovic is clearly beyond the last West Ham defender and in my opinion, a basic decision for the assistant to make. There were three Manchester United players in an offside position when Ibrahimovic received the ball. If either of the three players, including Ibrahimovic, received the ball they should have been flagged offside.

I'm struggling to put into words how poor Mike Dean's performance was. Since the 14th minute, Dean made countless poor decisions and this is even down to not booking Winston Reid for an obvious handball. Reid stuck his arm out to prevent the ball going to Juan Mata, who was running in behind the West Ham defender. This epitomises Dean's performance as he rightly blew for the foul but why he didn't issue Reid a yellow, which would have been the right decision, is beyond me.
I can safely say that Mike Dean's performance is one of the worst I've analysed this season. Mike Dean is undoubtedly one of the most arrogant referees in the league and you can see that players do not respect his authority nor decision making. Dean adores the limelight and he's an embarrassment to the referee's association. Earlier in the game I saw on replays that Dean, after he gave a foul against West Ham, said to Pedro Obiang "Don't look at me again, otherwise you won't be playing again". For what reason Mike Dean? If Obiang was showing dissent, you would caution him. I'm lost for words on what to think as to why Mike Dean has the audacity to react like that.

Dean is the last referee that I'd want any aspiring young referee to watch and mirror as his behaviour on the field is unacceptable. A good and well respected referee communicates with players, allows the players to understand why you've made that decision and applies the Laws of The Game. Dean doesn't do this and this is why he's still not an accredited FIFA Referee like Mark Clattenburg and Martin Atkinson. Will the FA or the referee association review Mike Dean? Probably not, but his standard of refereeing isn't good enough for the Premier League and his overall attitude and competence is shameful.

I feel for the West Ham players. The first 14 minutes and even after the sending off, we played well and we controlled the game; we pressed well with good tempo. We were desperately unlucky to lose considering the decisions and if Michail Antonio's shot that David De Gea saved went in, I think the game would have turned out completely different. The fact that Mata scored 60 seconds after Antonio's attempt really cost us and Ibrahimovic's offside goal really summed up a very unlucky game for West Ham.

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WE NEED VIDEO TECHNOLOGY!!!
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 2 JANUARY 2017 AT 10:17PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Katie S @flump9

Now I doubt there is a West Ham fan out there that isn't feeling the same as me tonight. There are some inappropriate words I could use to describe my feelings, but instead I will say I am disappointed, incensed, dejected and most of all completely cheated.

I wrote an article in March last year regarding the costly refereeing decisions and how something needed to change in football, yet ten months down the line and the same topic has arisen again.

Some neutral fans may say that it is sour grapes from West Ham fans like myself, but I can assure you that is not the case. I like to think that I am quite a fair fan, who will admit if we have been lucky, or if a decision was awarded unfairly in our favour. All I ask for is fairness and today was anything but fair.

You only have to listen to Manchester United fan Gary Neville and take a look at Twitter and you will see many ex-footballers stating exactly what every West Ham fan felt, Mike Dean's decision to give Feghouli a red card was an absolute disgrace. Before that incorrect decision, I felt like West Ham were fairly in control of the match, but Dean's decision was a game changer and ruined what would have been a good fair game of football. Now the red card was the turning point, but another frustrating point in the game was Manchester United's second goal not being flagged offside. For any fans that are thinking I am sounding very one-sided, I will admit that Kouyate was lucky to not receive a card for his rash challenge on Mkhitaryan.

Today's decisions were actually inexcusable and I don't think you can even attempt to defend Mike Dean. Football is a fast paced game and can sometimes be difficult to referee a match, but both decisions against West Ham were exceptionally poor. However, referees are only human and will make mistakes, I understand that, but then there is only one way forward and that is video technology.

Video technology is used in rugby and tennis and has been a success in both sports. It will undoubtedly slow the game down a little, but I do not think this can be used as an excuse any longer. Goal-line technology has been a massive success and this was proved in today's game, with Randolph just managing to clear off of his line. It has been trialed in a few other countries and I have heard that it is being trialed in England in secret, if this is the case, the decision to introduce video technology cannot come soon enough. Video technology benefits everyone: players, managers, fans and officials. I really cannot see why it has not been introduced.

There is a video online that appears to show Mike Dean saying "Don't look at me again, otherwise you won't be playing again". This in itself makes me think that referees need to be mic'd up (obviously not playable on TV, as I think all matches would need to be played after the watershed) and be accountable for the things they say to the players. There just seems to be too much protection for them and they do not seem to have to take any responsibility for their performance on the pitch. I am not suggesting that we should be targeting referees, as we need to be encouraging young referees into the game, but things definitely need to change. I might be alone here, but I honestly believe if referees were to come out after the game and admit when they have made a big costly mistake, I would feel 'slightly' better about it.

Decisions will go for and against us this season, like all other teams, but it all comes down to fairness and surely every football fan wants fairness.

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IS GLEN JOHNSON ABOUT TO RETURN TO WEST HAM?
BY 337HAMMER ON 3 JANUARY 2017 AT 11:55AM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

Slaven Bilic has targeted Glen Johnson for a stunning return to West Ham. The Hammers boss has turned to the Stoke defender, who has six months left on his contract, to solve his problem at right-back. Bilic is confident he can land the England international in a cut-price £1million deal but needs the move backed by his board after his disastrous summer spending.

Johnson would be a major coup 13 years after leaving the club for a glittering spell at Chelsea before moves to Portsmouth, Liverpool and Stoke. His contract has been running down, alerting clubs looking for a right-back for the second half of the season. The 32-year-old was even on a shortlist of full-backs Barcelona were looking at for experienced cover. www.thesun.co.uk

A move for this experienced right back could be just what we need. Also, as he is free to leave in the summer it surely makes a possible deal now much more realistic. The player probably has a few more years playing time left and maybe a 2 year deal might be acceptable for all parties. ExWHU employee has already said previously that Glen is a player that we are interested in, so maybe he could be moving to us very soon!

What do you think about a move for Glen Johnson? Would he bring some good qualities to our team? Or do you think at 32 he is too old and that we should be looking at a player who is in or just coming into their prime? As always, it would be good to hear your thoughts.

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DIMITRI PAYET 'STAYING' AT WEST HAM AMID TALK OF BID FROM MARSEILLE
BY 337HAMMER ON 3 JANUARY 2017 AT 1:00PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

West Ham today insisted they will not sell their star man Dimitri Payet, despite increasing speculation in France that Marseille are preparing a £30million-plus bid.

The France midfielder was substituted during the second half of last night's 2-0 home defeat by Manchester United, further fuelling rumours that Payet is poised to return to the club from which he was signed by West Ham for £10.7m in 2015.

Respected French newspaper L'Equipe devoted extensive coverage to the story. Marseille are managed by Rudi Garcia, who was in charge at Lille when Payet was there.

Other stories in France have suggested that Payet's family are keen to move back to the south of France and that Garcia has been in regular touch with the player in recent weeks.West Ham though, remain adamant that Payet is going nowhere.

"We have already said that he is staying," said West Ham manager Slaven Bilic. "He is playing well, really well recently against Swansea and Leicester, and worked really hard against Manchester United.

"He showed the quality, he showed the energy for the team and he doesn't look troubled. We said at the start of the season that we are moving forward and we want to keep our best players. He is our best player and we want to keep him." www.standard.co.uk

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Marseille to launch £30m Payet bid?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 2nd January 2017
By: Staff Writer

Marseille are set to test West Ham's resolve with a £30million bid for Dimitri Pauet, according to reports in France.

Last month the French international refused to rule out a return to Ligue 1 with his former club, who were recently purchased by wealthy American businessman Frank McCourt.

And this morning L'Equipe report that Payet is top of .Les Phocéens' transfer window hit list, with the club said to be preparing a huge bid in order to woo Payet back to the club he spent two years with prior to joining West Ham.

Speaking last month, Payet admitted that the prospect of one day returning to Marseille was a tempting proposition. "I have said I would not close the door to anything," he said.

"Marseille has a new project that seems interesting, although obviously we are waiting to hear from the new owners. But everyone knows my attachment to this club."

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West Ham to appeal Sofiane Feghouli red card against Man Utd
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 03/01/17 4:27pm
SSN

West Ham will appeal the red card picked up by Sofiane Feghouli in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on Monday. Feghouli was shown a straight red card by referee Mike Dean in the 15th minute with the game goalless following a sliding challenge with United defender Phil Jones. United were able to make their extra man count in the second half, with Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic grabbing the goals to earn Jose Mourinho's side a sixth straight Premier League win.
Feghouli will serve an automatic three-match ban if the Football Association decide to uphold Dean's decision and miss the FA Cup tie with Manchester City, as well as the Premier League games against Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough. Following the match at London Stadium, West Ham manager Slaven Bilic told Sky Sports: "It was never a red card to be fair. It was a challenge from both of them. "It was the other way round in terms of who did the more dangerous tackle. It was Jones. OK, he's carrying the ball but he went in with the scissors. "Phil made a meal of it, but you can't blame him for doing that. Maybe he made a meal of it because he went with the dangerous one to save himself. "You have to see who is doing our challenge. It's Feghouli, who very rarely makes a foul in the game. His foot wasn't high in the air and it wasn't deliberate. "For me, that was the crucial decision in the game. That early - it killed us. It put the game in a totally different perspective."

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Ref Watch: Mike Dean's decision to send off Sofiane Feghouli incorrect, says Dermot Gallagher
Last Updated: 03/01/17 3:33pm
SSN

Referee Mike Dean's decision to send off Sofiane Feghouli during West Ham's 2-0 defeat to Manchester United was incorrect. That's according to former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher, who told Premier League Daily that Feghouli's tackle on Phil Jones was worthy of a yellow card rather than a red. We asked Gallagher to analyse several of the controversial incidents on Monday, including Fernandinho's latest dismissal for Manchester City.

MATCH: West Ham 0-2 Man Utd, Premier League
INCIDENT: Sofiane Feghouli sent off for a first-half challenge on Phil Jones
SCENARIO: Feghouli takes a heavy touch and collides with Man Utd defender Jones. Referee Mike Dean issues a red card to the West Ham attacker
DERMOT'S VERDICT: Incorrect decision
DERMOT SAYS: I think it is a yellow card. What happens is Feghouli overruns the ball and lunges in. He doesn't go out of control as such, he goes in for the ball and collides with Jones as Jones comes in from the other side. It was not as if Jones was there to take the impact, Jones came into his line and I think all those factors lead to a yellow card. The unfortunate thing is Mike has seen the end of it and the reaction and I think a lot of that has played on his mind. In fairness to him, he took his time. You can't say it's a knee-jerk reaction but when he's computed it all he's come to the decision it's a red card. I think he will look at that today and think he got it wrong.

What I will say is I think Mike has been very unfairly criticised as a person because in the nine and a half years I have been off the Premier League, I think Mike Dean has made fewer errors than any other referee. The reason why we are talking about this error so much is because Mike Dean doesn't make many.

INCIDENT: Cheikhou Kouyate is penalised for a foul on Henrikh Mkhitaryan
SCENARIO: The West Ham midfielder concedes a free-kick for a tackle on Mkhitaryan. Referee Mike Dean does not issue a card.
DERMOT'S VERDICT: Could have been a yellow card
DERMOT SAYS: Mike has to get this absolutely right because what you don't want is to have a second red card that everybody is going to say was not a red card. There is no doubt whatsoever the Kouyate one was not a red card, that's absolutely certain. It could well have been a yellow but Mike didn't go overboard. He didn't react the way he did for the first one [Feghouli] and almost compound it by issuing another red.

INCIDENT: Zlatan Ibrahimovic's goal
SCENARIO: Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores Man Utd's second goal at the London Stadium but appears to be in an offside position when he gathers possession
DERMOT'S VERDICT: Incorrect decision
DERMOT SAYS: It is just a lack of concentration from the assistant. In that situation, the three Man Utd players are in an offside position - which is not an offence - but assistants at this level are taught to keep an eye on them in case the ball comes forward. In your mind you should have a picture of where they started and unfortunately the assistant has lost sight of their starting position. That's the only error he has made because without doubt, when the ball comes in, Ibrahimovic is offside. It's a decision at this level you should get right.

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Ex-Premier League referees Graham Poll and Mark Halsey criticise Mike Dean's performance
Dean's decision to send off West Ham's Sofiane Feghouli against Manchester United has been roundly criticised
The Mirror
BYLIAM CORLESS
12:50, 3 JAN 2017UPDATED15:15, 3 JAN 2017

Mike Dean has been slated by a pair of his former colleagues for his officiating display in Manchester United's away win over West Ham. The 48-year-old Premier League referee has been criticised for his decision to send Sofiane Feghouli off after just 15 minutes of the match for a challenge on Phil Jones. Replays showed the decision was harsh and fans and pundits alike have since slammed the Wirral official, with some claiming he thrives off being the centre of attention. Former top flight official Graham Poll doesn't agree with the suggestion that Dean has a penchant for the limelight but admitted Feghouli's challenge was not worthy of a red card. "Replays showed that both players were equally culpable as Jones wrapped his legs around Feghouli's," Poll wrote in the Daily Mail. "Such decisions are crucial and Dean, one of the select group's most experienced referees, knows that. "Referees aren't on the field to be popular, they are there to show the courage of their convictions and give what they see. They are also not supposed to guess or appear to seek the limelight. "Dean, as I wrote after his last game, is the referee happiest to take the biggest decisions and this was no exception. He will have believed he was right but when he watches this back he will know and accept that he was wrong."
Another ex-Premier League referee, Mark Halsey, added in The Sun: "He has misread the challenge and the incident. It's a key match decision which totally changed the course of the game. "It's unlike Mike but he's gone by the player's reaction. "Players do not help referees in the Premier League. Jones rolling around hasn't helped the situation one bit."

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Manchester United's Phil Jones accused of PLAY-ACTING to get Sofiane Feghouli sent off
Former Manchester United star Ray Wilkins says referee Mike Dean was fooled by Jones' theatrical reaction to get Feghouli into trouble
The Mirror
BYJOHN CROSS
12:33, 3 JAN 2017UPDATED12:36, 3 JAN 2017

Phil Jones has been accused of play acting to get West Ham 's Sofiane Feghouli sent off. Former Manchester United star Ray Wilkins says referee Mike Dean was fooled by Jones' theatrical reaction to get Feghouli into trouble. West Ham have today told the Football Association of their intention to appeal the red card and that is likely to be heard by a commission tomorrow. Wilkins told talkSPORT : "If Phil Jones doesn't roll around for ten minutes on the floor then that might have only been a yellow card. "I thought Phil reacted terribly. We are unfortunately in an era where people are getting each other sent off and I hate to see it "Players have to take a look at themselves. There wasn't anything malicious in it." Feghouli is facing a three game ban unless West Ham can prove Dean made an "obvious" mistake for sending him off for the challenge on Jones. Under-fire ref Dean has sent off five players and given ten penalties in 15 games this season which is more than any other Premier League official. Halsey said: ""Because he missed the Barkley challenge, I think it's at the back of his mind. I have to say, Mike's turned round and seen Phil rolling around. "He may be hurt but when you are hurt, you stay still. I think the way he's rolled around, he's injured himself the way he's gone into the challenge. "Because of what happened at Goodison Park, I think he's guessed and he's got it wrong. It's a game-changing decision. "Every player has to leave the ground at some stage in a sliding challenge. He takes his feet away. I thought he was sending off Jones - I really didn't expect any sort of card on that challenge. But because Jones has rolled around, I think that makes his mind up."
Halsey claims referees are suffering because of a lack of leadership at the top level. Halsey added: "You look at Mark Clattenburg, Martin Atkinson, Andre [Marriner] to a certain extent, but there's a whole lack of leadership and coaching. "Referees are just coaching themselves and going out and refereeing in their own way. We've got some top referees who have retired from the game and they should be used more."

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Gary Neville slams "disgraceful" reaction to Mike Dean's display in Manchester United's win at West Ham
Premier League referee Dean has been universally criticised for his controversial decision to show Sofiane Feghouli a straight red card just 15 minutes into Monday's match
The Mirror
BYLIAM CORLESS
09:46, 3 JAN 2017UPDATED09:49, 3 JAN 2017

Gary Neville has labelled the reaction to Mike Dean's officiating display in Manchester United's win at West Ham "disgraceful". Premier League referee Dean has been universally criticised for his controversial decision to show Sofiane Feghouli a straight red card just 15 minutes into Monday's match. Feghouli was given his marching orders for a challenge on Phil Jones but replays suggested the dismissal was extremely harsh. Sky Sports analyst and co-commentator Neville was critical of Dean during the match, but has been less than impressed by the reaction of his fellow pundits in the wake of Feghouli's sending off. Neville tweeted: "I was critical of Mike Dean's performance in the game. He was poor. But I think the reaction since towards him is disgraceful. "Yes he should be criticised but to suggest he wanted to be centre of attention and he should be sacked or not referee again is wrong!!"

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Gary Neville ✔ @GNev2
I was critical of Mike deans performance in the game . He was poor. But I think the reaction since towards him is disgraceful.
5:47 AM - 3 Jan 2017
375 375 Retweets 1,352 1,352 likes
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Gary Neville ✔ @GNev2
Yes he should be criticised but to suggest he wanted to be centre of attention and he should be sacked or not referee again is wrong!!
5:50 AM - 3 Jan 2017
240 240 Retweets 944 944 likes

It was the fifth red card Dean has shown in 15 matches this season - more than any other referee - and came just five days after he came under fire for dismissing Southampton forward Nathan Redmond against Tottenham. Hammers manager Slaven Bilic claimed Feghouli's tackle was not even worth a booking after his side slipped to a 2-0 defeat. Sky's pundits for the match at the London Stadium also weighed in, with Niall Quinn branding Dean arrogant and Alan Smith claiming he revels in being the centre of attention. "He got it disgracefully wrong in my opinion," former Sunderland forward Quinn said on Sky Sports. 'I try very hard doing this job to understand how difficult it is for referees and not just jump on the bandwagon, but time and time again I look at this guy and his arrogance alone, and I suppose running the show and looking the part, and it puts me off. "I'm delighted to make an exception in this case and call him for this, this is rank-bad refereeing."
Quinn's fellow Sky Sports pundit, ex-Leicester and Arsenal striker Smith, added: "It comes off the back of his really bad mistake at Southampton when he sent off Nathan Redmond for what was not even a penalty in my book. "So he's got a track record for it. You don't like to say it but it's almost like he wants to be the centre of attention. I wouldn't want to believe that of any referee but he seems to revel in it."

Follow
Alan Shearer ✔ @alanshearer
Best league in the world but refereeing standards don't match up. Sort your men out #mikeriley #WHUMUN
7:17 PM - 2 Jan 2017
1,126 1,126 Retweets 2,000 2,000 likes

And Shearer's fellow Match of the Day pundit Martin Keown said on the show: "It's a massive mistake from Mike Dean." United secured a sixth straight win thanks to second-half goals from Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic - although the fact the latter was offside also did not reflect well on Dean and his assistants.

Mata and fellow sub Marcus Rashford swung the game in the visitors' favour and boss Jose Mourinho said: "I felt against a tired team fresh people coming from the bench would make a difference."

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