Stuart Pearce delivers surprising two-word verdict on Lanzini West Ham incident
West Ham United coach Stuart Pearce says that the FA’s decision to charge Manuel Lanzini for diving could be for the “greater good” of the game.
It’s a surprising verdict after manager David Moyes had tried to put his alleged dive down to fatigue earlier in the week.
The 24-year-old was charged by the FA on Monday for diving during the 3-0 Premier League win at Stoke on Saturday afternoon and has until 6pm today to respond.
The Argentine playmaker went down in the box under a challenge from Stoke defender Erik Pieters and referee Graham Scott decided to award a penalty, which Mark Nobel scored to put the Hammers 1-0 up.
Although the decision could cost West Ham, Pearce, one of the coaches brought in by manager David Moyes when he took charge last month, believes that it could be a good, if it helps to eliminate diving from the sport.
“I’ve been very supportive to referees and the FA over the years and will be, going forward,” Pearce told the Evening Standard.
“If people deem that diving is a problem in our game and that they don’t like watching it, which I don’t when I am a spectator, the FA and the Premier League have to do everything they can to eradicate it.
“If we have to take one on our chin because they deem that Manu went down cheaply at Stoke, we have to accept it for the greater good if that helps eradicate it from the game.”
Stoke manager Mark Hughes was frustrated with the referee’s decision to award West Ham a spot-kick and believes it changed the outcome of the game. He accused Lanzini of diving during his post-match interview.
Moyes, with the help of Pearce and his other new coaching staff, has helped to turn West Ham around since he replaced Slacen Bilic last month.
The Hammers are unbeaten in their last three matches and face Arsenal in a League Cup quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium tonight, which Lanzini could miss.
Moyes side can take confidence from the fact that they were able to hold the Gunners to a goalless draw in the Premier League at the London Stadium just six days ago.
In other West Ham news, Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has made his prediction for the game.
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