From hero to zero! Andriy Yarmolenko is SENT OFF in a West Ham U23s clash with Swansea minutes after scoring the winner as he’s given his marching orders for an apparent elbow… but do you think it’s a red?
- Andriy Yarmolenko has scored just one goal in his 21 appearances this season
- The West Ham outcast was fielded in an U23s game to hand him crucial minutes
- He scored the winner against Swansea before later being sent off for an elbow
- Supporters and Yarmolenko himself were left bemused by the referee’s decision
Andriy Yarmolenko’s stuttering career at West Ham took another turn for the worse after the outcast was sent off for an apparent elbow in an U23s clash earlier today.
The veteran forward was fielded in the club’s youth team in an attempt to hand him some much-needed minutes, and he duly made an impact by scoring the winner.
However, just minutes after hitting the back of the net, he was judged by the referee to have elbowed Swansea’s Ben Erickson and promptly shown a red card.
West Ham outcast Andriy Yarmolenko was dismissed in an U23s game for an apparent elbow
Footage of the incident has been shared by Hammers supporters on social media and, despite the player’s uncertain future, sparked sheer frustration from them.
Indeed, several online users have turned their ire towards the officiating.
‘Poor decision that, doesn’t seem like any force,’ one Twitter account posted.
Yarmolenko looked to back into his opponent, and the referee quickly pulled out his red card
The veteran looked bemused by the sending-off before eventually make his way off the pitch
Another said: ‘Lad didn’t even go down and the referee is clearly looking for it and trying to snare a big name.
‘Sadly he will go down the ladder for this, rather than up. Pathetic decision.’
‘Yarmolenko’s reaction speaks volumes,’ a third wrote. ‘He just stood there and laughed at the ref.’
The former Borussia Dortmund man certainly appeared bemused by the decision, having looked at the referee in disbelief before making his way off the pitch.
West Ham, despite being reduced to 10 men, were able to hold out for the victory in the Premier League Cup to continue their impressive form this campaign.
Mark Robson’s side are sitting in second in the Premier League 2 standings.
Yarmolenko, meanwhile, has scored just one goal in 21 games for the club this season, and appears set to leave in the summer.
His contract, as it stands, will run down at the end of the season – and it is likely David Moyes will look to reinvest the winger’s wages towards his transfer kitty.