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This weekend’s referee was in charge of Graham Potter’s first match as West Ham manager in January.
West Ham were delivered a stark reality check on their return to Premier League action following the international break, losing 1-0 to relegation threatened Wolves at Molineux on Tuesday night.
The Midlands outfit closed the gap between themselves in 17th and the Hammers in 16th to just five points with that victory. West Ham remain a comfortable 17 points above the drop zone by Graham Potter will be determined to finish the season with some promise as he prepares for his first summer at the London Stadium.
The former Chelsea and Brighton manager will now look for a response when AFC Bournemouth visit West Ham this weekend. A result from that clash seems vital with a tricky trip to soon-to-be Champions Liverpool then next up on April 13.
Premier League confirms West Ham v AFC Bournemouth referee
The Premier League has now confirmed who will referee the match between West Ham and Bournemouth with Tim Robinson in charge of the fixture. He’ll be joined by assistants Eddie Smart and Steve Meredith with Steve Martin as fourth official. Jarred Gillett is on VAR.
The referee last worked with West Ham in the league for the 1-1 draw against Fulham in September but, perhaps more memorably, was in charge of the FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa in January. That was Potter’s first fixture in charge of the Hammers and came with a healthy dose of controversy.
West Ham took the lead at Villa Park through Lucas Paqueta and the London side stayed ahead until the 71st minute when Amadou Onana equalised by pouncing on a loose ball in the Hammers’ box. That came after an Aston Villa corner but that corner should never have stood with an off balance shot from Onana sailing through a crowded penalty box untouched in the play prior.
Both sets of players appeared to expect a goal kick to be awarded but Robinson gave the corner and Villa were level moments later. Morgan Rogers added a second five minutes later to secure a 2-1 win.
Refereeing ‘totally messed up’ in West Ham defeat
Reacting to that referee blunder, Arsenal legend Ian Wright told ITV Sport: “The refereeing assistant messing up totally with that corner. I can't believe the referee, he's standing there.
“He's standing right there, it's gone through a gap of people and he's not seen that. No one's near it, how can you get that one wrong? West Ham were in this. Yes they had to defend a bit more because Villa got on top, they tried, such a shame really.”
Potter appeared to share a similar view. Speaking after the match, he said: “Well the start of the game was really good, really positive, I thought we had good organisation, offered a threat, first half was really good from us.
“Second half Aston Villa stepped up and pushed us back a little bit too much, losing Fulkrug and Summerville influenced our attacking part of the game, more pressure rather than big chances. Not sure if first goal was a corner. It didn't look it to me but will have to see it again, it's one of those things. Pushed at the end and had a couple of chances. Disappointed to go out but lots of positives.”
In other news, West Ham manager Graham Potter has spoken out about a player’s ‘disappointing’ form amid talk of a transfer exit.
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