Sports
EPL: What We’re Lacking Is Luck – Ten Hag Reacts After Loss To West Ham
The defeat, which left United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, was sealed by a controversial stoppage-time penalty from Jarrod Bowen that awarded the Hammers all three points.
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West Ham took the lead against the run of play when Crysencio Summerville scored 16 minutes from the end, but Casemiro quickly equalized for United. Ten Hag expressed his outrage over the penalty decision, which was given after VAR intervened following a collision between Matthijs de Ligt and Danny Ings in the box.
The United captain, Bruno Fernandes, had a red card overturned after being dismissed in a previous 3-0 defeat to Tottenham, prompting Ten Hag to criticize the inconsistency in VAR’s intervention on the referee’s calls.
“Before the season they explained the process of VAR – only when (it is) clear and obvious they should interfere,” said Ten Hag.
“What they didn’t do against Spurs, that was a wrong decision. Now they make a wrong decision interfering and both have big impact on the games. I don’t criticise the personnel, I criticise the process.”
Once again, it was a frustrating lack of clinical finishing that denied United a crucial victory. Diogo Dalot squandered a clear opportunity, while both Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes also failed to convert significant chances during a dominant first-half performance.
“We created so many chances, played so good football, especially in the first half. How I want my team to play in and out of possession,” added Ten Hag.
“Six or seven 100 per cent chances we should have scored. That is a point of improvement. But overall I had not so many criticisms of my team, apart from not scoring.”
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United’s tally of eight goals from their first nine games marks their poorest start in Premier League history. Under Erik ten Hag, the team has secured only three victories, with all three of their opening matches in the Europa League ending in draws, leaving their manager’s position precarious.
However, he pointed to positive developments following a 2-1 victory over Brentford last weekend and a 1-1 draw against Fenerbahce prior to their trip to the London Stadium.
“At this moment the luck is definitely not on our side. Last season was not different and near the end we turned it around,” said Ten Hag.
“We are so determined it will be the same (this season). We have to turn this around and it will turn around if we keep playing like we are now.
“Brentford, Fenerbahce, today, we played really good football.”
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