Cresswell was sent-off just before half-time
Lyon forward Moussa Dembele was caught winking after West Ham United left-back Aaron Cresswell was sent off in the sides’ Europa League clash on Thursday.
The Hammers welcomed the French outfit to the London Stadium for the quarter-final tie, having defeated Sevilla in the last round of the competition.
It was slow start to the game from both sides, with David Moyes’ men struggling to create any real goalscoring opportunities in the first period.
However, the game had its first controversial moment just before the half-time break as Cresswell received his marching orders for pulling Dembele to the ground and denying a goalscoring opportunity.
Referee Felix Zwayer’s decision looked quite soft at the time, with the Hammers defender probably unlucky to be shown red for the incident.
As the Englishman exited the field and West Ham were reduced to 10 men, Frenchman Dembele was seen winking in his teammates’ direction.
Despite being down to 10-men, the home side started the second-half on top and took the lead through Jarrod Bowen. The Hammers’ winger made the most of Jérôme Boateng’s defensive error to put Moyes men in front.
Aaron Cresswell is shown a red card deep into first-half added time!
He was judged to have pulled down Moussa Dembele…
The wink from the Lyon striker says it all 👀 pic.twitter.com/0PefUWytIr
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 7, 2022
David Moyes gets booked
Hammers boss Moyes vented his frustration at the referee as he and the other officials exited the field and into their dressing room.
David Moyes is fuming with the officials after Aaron Cresswell's red card…
The West Ham manager was booked for his protests.#UEL pic.twitter.com/oHkAs0sZXJ
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 7, 2022
The Scotsman was booked for his protests, but continued to express his displeasure at Zwayer as he walked down the tunnel.
How did social media react?
One Twitter user wrote: “U see that wink from dembele, was probably a foul but definitely dived cause his touch was too far, think red was harsh for that minimal contact tho it was goal scoring opportunity”.
U see that wink from dembele, was probably a foul but definitely dived cause his touch was too far, think red was harsh for that minimal contact tho it was goal scoring opportunity
— Josh (@josh__al) April 7, 2022
Another person added: “How a referee can stand and justify the Cresswell incident as red-card worthy is laughable. The fact Dembele winks at the camera after shows what a joke this is. UEFA seems to get more corrupt by the week. Disgraceful.”
How a referee can stand and justify the Cresswell incident as red-card worthy is laughable. The fact Dembele winks at the camera after shows what a joke this is. UEFA seems to get more corrupt by the week. Disgraceful.
— Josh V (@WestHamJoshV) April 7, 2022
A third person said: “Dembele’s wink. Welcome to European football, West Ham.”
https://twitter.com/covercianograd/status/1512156982458916878
Another Twitter user wrote: “That wink from dembele is devious behaviour man , if I was West Ham I’d be fuming”.
That wink from dembele is devious behaviour man , if I was West Ham I’d be fuming
— StanSaunders (@StxnSaunders) April 7, 2022
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