Ref ‘guessed’ penalty decision, fumes Allardyce

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has called on the FA and Premier League to look into the way referees are recruited following a 2-1 defeat against Liverpool at Upton Park in which the officials made a string of embarrassing errors.

Referee Anthony Taylor allowed a West Ham goal through Guy Demel to stand even though Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet was clearly fouled by Andy Carroll, with the linesman flagging vigorously but ignored. Taylor then awarded Liverpool a match-winning penalty, the second of the evening given to league leaders Liverpool and both converted by Steven Gerrard, even though West Ham goalkeeper Adrian appeared to get the ball as he dived at Jon Flanagan’s feet.

An angry Allardyce said: “There were fouls given by the referee when he was 60 yards away, the second penalty was not a penalty, Adrian plays the ball. Controversially we are talking about the referee and the effect he had on the game. He made big mistakes in the game. He thinks Adrian hasn’t played the ball and he has. He has to be 100% certain. He was in a bad position but gave it.