Ex-refs chief reacts to Amad Diallo controversy as Man United vs West Ham footage re-analysed
Andrew Kitchen deserved a special mention after getting a penalty decision spot-on in Man United’s 1-1 draw with West Ham.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that calls for a spot-kick after an early challenge on Amad Diallo were rightly waved away.
Amad is often caught up in controversy for Man United, sometimes because of his trickery on the ball, which El Hadji Malick Diouf found out the hard way, being booked after 37 minutes on Thursday, 4 December.
New signing Mateus Fernandes has been a bright spark for West Ham, but the 21-year-old would have had his heart in his mouth after the United winger went down in the penalty area under his pressure.
Andrew Kitchen should be commended for remaining calm at Old Trafford
Replays showed that Amad had gone to ground rather easily, and rewatching the incident, Hackett felt that the referee should be commended for his handling of the controversy in the fourth minute.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “It was the correct decision not to award a penalty kick, with the tempo of the game and it being early in the game. The referee did not overreact.
“This is Andrew Kitchen‘s third Premier League game, and a big occasion for him. He is remaining calm and keeping the game flowing thanks to his low-key approach, letting the players do the talking.”
The incident was just a sign of things to come for the Hammers, though, as the winger continued to cause issues down the right flank right until the final whistle.
Amad Diallo runs riot for Man United against West Ham
It was hardly a surprise to see the 23-year-old running rampant against the Hammers, but with one goal and two assists so far this season, supporters are expecting a better output from him.
Saying that, with the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, there is much less need for the wing-back to get himself on the scoresheet, with big-money players ahead of him.
He still managed to create three chances, one of which was a big chance, completed 75 per cent of his attempted dribbles, fired in seven crosses, and dived into nine ground duels [FotMob].
Despite all of the big signings during the summer, he remains an important member of the squad.