With the scoreline still at 0-0, Dimitri Payet broke in to the box and went to ground under a challenge from Marcos Rojo. Payet was appealing for a penalty, but none was given. Replays showed that Rojo may have got the slighted of touches, but Payet was already throwing himself to the floor.
Payet, already on a yellow card, could have been shown a second for simulation and sent off. He wasn’t though, and three minutes later he put West Ham 1-0 up.
Having conceded an incredibly soft penalty at Anfield a few days ago, after the 1-1 draw with West Ham, Louis van Gaal accused the Payet of diving.
Payet was, more or less, diving. Of course, he was maybe touched but not to fall like that. There is always discussion about the decisions of the referee. You can also say that about the game against Liverpool. I cannot say anything. I think the referee has to decide within seconds. I said that after the game against Liverpool and now it’s the same.
Unsurprisingly, West Ham manager Slaven Bilic claimed it wasn’t a dive.
A dive?! A dive?! Come on! You can see clearly. There is contact. It’s 100% definitely not a dive. Maybe referee just thought touch not strong enough. Every decision in box, doesn’t have to be a penalty or a dive.
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