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West Ham logo
Premier League | Gameweek 13
Dec 16, 2020 at 8pm UK
London Stadium
Crystal Palace logo

West Ham
1 - 1
Crystal Palace

Haller (55')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Benteke (34')
Benteke (31'), Milivojevic (75')
Benteke (70')

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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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
3Arsenal18106235161936
4Chelsea19105438231535
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1995532211132
6Manchester CityMan City199463226631
7Bournemouth198652923630
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa198562831-329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford187383232024
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
20Southampton1913151239-276


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