Pundits: West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell DID deserve a red card in Europa League semi-final vs Frankfurt

‘You can’t be handsy… that is always going to be given’: Pundits agree West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell DID deserve a red card in Europa League semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt despite Hammers complaints

  • Aaron Cresswell was sent off in the first half of West Ham’s European semi-final 
  • The left back received a red in the Hammers’ last-four second-leg on Thursday 
  • Players felt the ref’s decision, for dragging down Jens Petter Hauge, was harsh 
  • But BT Sport pundits unanimously agreed Cresswell’s actions deserved a red

Joe Cole and Carlton Cole stated West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell was rightly sent off in the first half of his side’s Europa League semi-final on Thursday.

Trailing 2-1 from the first leg last week, the Hammers were dealt a hammer blow in the 19th minute of their last-four tie against Eintracht Frankfurt when left back Cresswell dragged down Jens Petter Hauge and received his marching orders.

The visiting side’s players were furious with the decision, but BT Sport pundits Cole and Cole – both former West Ham players – insisted it was the right call.

Pundits agreed West Ham defender Aaron Cresswell (right) deserved a red card in the first half of his side’s Europa League semi-final second-leg tie against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday

Former Hammers striker Carlton Cole (pictured) insisted the referee made the right decision

Former Hammers striker Carlton Cole (pictured) insisted the referee made the right decision

Left back Cresswell was penalised for tugging back Frankfurt winger Jens Petter Hauge (right)

Left back Cresswell was penalised for tugging back Frankfurt winger Jens Petter Hauge (right)

Former Chelsea and Hammers striker Carlton said: ‘It’s just one of those, he had to have learnt from his last mistake. You can’t be handsy in the Europa League. That one is always going to be given.

‘You can’t be isolated one-on-one. It wasn’t even a great ball! He’s going to be so disappointed and now they have to deal with the consequences.’

Joe added: ‘It’s the right decision. A disastrous start for West Ham. It’s a lofted ball and he gets clumsy.

‘By the letter of the law it’s a clear denial of a goalscoring opportunity. He gets the wrong side and it has to be a sending off.’

Fellow pundit Owen Hargreaves concluded: ‘It’s the right decision. Once the ball bounces for Cresswell, he’s in all kinds of trouble. He just gets caught wrong side and the referee had to make that decision.’

And fans quickly took to social media to criticise Cresswell for receiving his marching orders

And fans quickly took to social media to criticise Cresswell for receiving his marching orders

And fans seemed to be united in social media in the aftermath of the sending-off, criticising Cresswell for his actions rather than the referee.

One said: ‘Don’t wanna hear Cresswell is good enough anymore. He’s made too many stupid mistakes this season that have cost us.’

Another added: ‘Cresswell doesn’t do basics. Also doesn’t learn from the mistakes he constantly makes.’

A third posted: ‘Could genuinely cry rn (right now), Cresswell doesn’t get that red and we would genuinely win this game , heartbreaking man’.

Another tweeted: ‘Just seen Cresswell sending off. Terrible defending. Absolutely shocking again from him,’ with a fifth concluding: ‘Cresswell can chuck that on his CV when he’s looking for a new job’.