Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil was left fuming after his team’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham United at the London Stadium yesterday. O’Neil was furious with the referee’s decision not to award a free-kick to his team moments before Jarrod Bowen’s winning goal.
According to O’Neil, there was a “blatant foul” on Wolves defender Santiago Bueno, which was missed by the referee. O’Neil believes that the foul should have been called, and that it would have prevented West Ham from launching the counter-attack that led to Bowen’s goal.
“It’s a blatant foul on Santiago Bueno,” O’Neil said in his post-match press conference. “The referee has got to see that. It’s a clear foul, and it changes the whole complexion of the game.
“If the referee gives the free-kick, we’re not counter-attacked, and we don’t concede the goal. It’s a big moment in the game, and the referee has got to get it right.”
O’Neil’s comments were echoed by Wolves fans, who took to social media to express their frustration with the refereeing decision. Many fans felt that the foul on Bueno was clear, and that the referee’s failure to call it was a crucial moment in the game.
Despite the controversy, West Ham manager David Moyes was delighted with his team’s win, which moves them up to fifth place in the Premier League table.
“We’re thrilled to get the three points,” Moyes said. “It was a hard-fought win, and we’re delighted to come out on top.”
The win was West Ham’s third in their last four games, and they will be looking to continue their good form when they face off against Liverpool next weekend.
They will now feel he deserves yet more time but it was not a performance that bodes well for the Spaniard who continues to tread a tightrope without any confidence.
It probably means there are still two dead men walking although O’Neil’s tenure – having replaced Lopetegui of course at the start of last season – is in the most immediate danger after a dismal defeat in what was the dismissal derby.
“That’s not my decision,” O’Neil said when asked about his precarious future. “But I know I am a much better coach than I was last year… I understand the noise and the scrutiny. When I arrived at this club we had got 39 points. Since then we have sold £200 million worth if talent so if you do that you expect it to be tough.”
Defiantly he added: “I am fine, I love these tough moments. I am disappointed that I have lost the connection with the fans. I understand that but they are still so behind the players…Whenever it ends I will be unbelievably proud of the job I have done here. No one understands the situation and neither should be. There are some tough restrictions there.”
