Redknapp delivers verdict on Bilic microphone shame during West Ham defeat
By Harry Sykes
Jamie Redknapp has claimed he understood why Slaven Bilic lost the plot and hurled a TV microphone to the ground as he reacted to West Brom’s late leveller against West Ham.
The Hammers manager was sent to the stands for his late act of petulance in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at the London Stadium.
It looked as though the Hammers were on course for three valuable points after goals from Sofiane Feghouli and Manuel Lanzini had turned the match on its head following Nacer Chadli’s opener for Tony Pulis’ side.
However, deep into stoppage time there was yet more drama in what was an absorbing encounter.
Bilic was already protesting about the award of the corner as Chris Brunt stepped up to take it, Jonny Evans climbed highest, headed towards goal, with Gareth McAuley getting a touch to break Hammers’ hearts.
Bilic’s assistant had already been sent to the stands in the first half for protesting against the decision to rule out a strike from Feghouli in the first half, and the West Ham manager joined his right-hand man late in the day, after picking up the microphone and flinging it to the ground.
“I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for a manager to watch their side concede a last-minute equaliser,” wrote Redknapp in his weekly Mail column.
“I felt for Slaven Bilic when West Brom snatched a draw in injury time. West Ham had only just gone 2-1 ahead and they have now dropped six points this season from goals conceded in the 89th minute or later.
“While throwing a TV microphone may not have been the best way to react, I completely understand the manager’s anger.”
The result means West Ham failed to narrow the gap on eighth-placed West Brom in the Premier League table.
Pulis’ team have accumulated 37 points from their 25 league fixture this season, while the east London club have overcome a difficult first half of the campaign to take 32 points and climb to 10th in the table.
In other West Ham news, fans have reacted on Twitter to reported interest in another right-back.
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