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Roy Hodgson fumes at Christian Benteke red card

Roy Hodgson fumes at Christian Benteke red card
© Reuters
Sebastien Haller's spectacular strike rescued a 1-1 draw for West Ham after Christian Benteke had headed Crystal Palace into a first-half lead.

Roy Hodgson branded Christian Benteke's red card at West Ham "ludicrous" and claimed such decisions are ruining the game.

Sebastien Haller's spectacular strike rescued a 1-1 draw for West Ham after Benteke had headed Crystal Palace into a first-half lead.

But Benteke was shown two yellow cards for two identical misdemeanours, catching Angelo Ogbonna and Tomas Soucek with his trailing arm as he went up for headers.

Eagles boss Hodgson blasted: "I thought it was a ludicrous decision, because when people jump and challenge for the ball he is using his arm for leverage, and trying to win the ball.

"If an arm brushes your opponent, that's always likely to happen if both players are attempting to win the ball.

"Decisions like that are ruining the game of football. That's what I believe. I've had enough now.

"Referees make decisions, they go by them in rules they are obliged to follow. I'd rather talk about what a good game of football that was.

"But I'm bitterly disappointed to see Christian Benteke get two yellow cards for trying honestly to win two headers."

It was a sad end to the match for Benteke, who is now in what for him is a rich vein of goalscoring form after heading in Joel Ward's cross for his third in three matches for the visitors.

Haller is a similarly maligned forward, in danger of being branded a £45million flop for a string of underwhelming displays.

But when he does score, it is usually memorable and he executed a stunning bicycle kick – his third such strike for the club – from Vladimir Coufal's 55th-minute cross.

Hammers boss David Moyes said: "I wasn't that surprised by Seb's goal, he has an incredible ability and technique.

"I think one of the first goals he scored for me was a scissor kick, but it's the tap-ins I want to see him score as well.

"We need him to be a big part. We're missing Michail Antonio and we need someone to come up with the goods, and we got a wonder-goal from him."

Palace had to play the last 20 minutes a man down following Benteke's dismissal, but West Ham were unable to put any real pressure on their goal with Declan Rice going closest with a late drive which flew inches wide.

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How you voted: West Ham vs Crystal Palace

West Ham United
65.2%
Draw
20.6%
Crystal Palace
14.2%
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1494136191731
2Leicester CityLeicester149052617927
3Manchester UnitedMan Utd138232821726
4Everton148242519626
5Chelsea1474329141525
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1474325141125
7Southampton147342519624
8Manchester CityMan City136521912723
9Aston Villa1271424131122
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham146352119221
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves146261419-520
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle135351722-518
13Crystal Palace145361925-618
14Leeds UnitedLeeds145272430-617
15Arsenal144281218-614
16Burnley13346819-1113
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton142661622-612
18Fulham142481323-1010
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom141491029-197
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd140212825-172

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