David Moyes was pissed off at not having the ability to decide Mohammed Kudus for West Ham’s goalless draw in opposition to Brighton.
Ghana ahead Kudus, arguably West Ham’s greatest participant this season, was unavailable on account of his forthcoming participation on the Africa Cup of Nations.
But Egypt’s Mohamed Salah was capable of play for Liverpool in opposition to Newcastle 24 hours earlier, scoring twice in a 4-2 win earlier than the deadline for gamers to hyperlink up with their international locations.
In a thinly-disguised dig on the Premier League’s schedulers and the choice to maneuver this match for tv a day later, Moyes stated: “It feels a bit unusual that we’re enjoying on the second of January.
“Might we not have performed on the primary and allowed our African gamers to be allowed to play yesterday, as a result of they will’t play right now?
“I really feel that’s one thing which isn’t right. I simply suppose why couldn’t we’ve our African gamers the identical as all people else?
“Brighton may need had gamers on the Asian Video games – I do know (Kaoru) Mitoma’s injured I feel – however they may have the identical feeling.
“It’s nothing to do with the efficiency, Brighton have been with out a lot of good gamers and we have been with out a lot of good gamers.
“However I don’t see at this level why you’ll play a recreation and be deprived by a few of your gamers not having the ability to play. I’m not saying any extra.”
The choice to maneuver the match for tv regarded much more baffling as two weary groups fought out a dull goalless draw.
On condition that it was West Ham’s ninth recreation in a month, and Brighton’s eighth, the managers would in all probability have shaken arms on a draw earlier than kick-off and gone to look at the darts as a substitute.
Tomas Soucek stabbed West Ham’s greatest probability huge however Brighton have been the higher aspect after the break, with Hammers keeper Alphonse Areola making tremendous saves to disclaim Danny Welbeck and Adam Lallana.
“Total we’ve had an excellent Christmas interval on the factors entrance,” added Moyes, whose aspect started the yr inside the highest six. “I’m thrilled to win three, together with Arsenal and Manchester United, and draw one. From a factors perspective we’ve completed very well.
“It’s the primary time this season we’ve regarded actually jaded and drained tonight however all of the boys have completed an excellent job. Brighton have been our bogey membership in recent times and we’ve taken 4 factors off them this season. However I need it to be higher and I do know it has to get higher.”
Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi had little doubt what was lacking from his aspect.
“A purpose,” was his easy response.
“Immediately we deserved to win however we performed an incredible recreation, among the best in my time.
“West Ham are superb in counter-attack and we performed a wise recreation. I can’t say something about my gamers as a result of I’m delighted with the efficiency.
“We’ve got accidents however we’ve nice character and nice spirit.”