David Moyes was annoyed at not with the ability to decide Mohammed Kudus for West Ham’s goalless draw towards Brighton.
Ghana ahead Kudus, arguably West Ham’s finest participant this season, was unavailable because of his forthcoming participation on the Africa Cup of Nations.
But Egypt’s Mohamed Salah was capable of play for Liverpool towards Newcastle 24 hours earlier, scoring twice in a 4-2 win earlier than the deadline for gamers to hyperlink up with their nations.
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 taking part in on the second of January.
“May we not have performed on the primary and allowed our African gamers to be allowed to play yesterday, as a result of they’ll’t play in the present day?
“I really feel that’s one thing which isn’t appropriate. I simply suppose why couldn’t now we have our African gamers the identical as everyone else?
“Brighton might need had gamers on the Asian Video games – I do know (Kaoru) Mitoma’s injured I believe – however they may have the identical feeling.
“It’s nothing to do with the efficiency, Brighton have been with out plenty of good gamers and we have been with out plenty 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 with the ability to play. I’m not saying any extra.”
The choice to maneuver the match for tv appeared 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 observe the darts as a substitute.
Tomas Soucek stabbed West Ham’s finest probability broad however Brighton have been the higher aspect after the break, with Hammers keeper Alphonse Areola making nice saves to disclaim Danny Welbeck and Adam Lallana.
“General we’ve had a superb Christmas interval on the factors entrance,” added Moyes, whose aspect started the 12 months inside the highest six. “I’m thrilled to win three, together with Arsenal and Manchester United, and draw one. From a factors viewpoint we’ve finished rather well.
“It’s the primary time this season we’ve appeared actually jaded and drained tonight however all of the boys have finished a superb job. Brighton have been our bogey membership in recent times and we’ve taken 4 factors off them this season. However I would like 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 aim,” was his easy response.
“At this time we deserved to win however we performed an incredible recreation, top-of-the-line in my time.
“West Ham are excellent 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 now have accidents however now we have nice character and nice spirit.”
