Assistant manager Nikola Jurcevic says West Ham United could be in the Barclays Premier League’s top three if decisions had not repeatedly gone against them.
The Hammers were left to rue another questionable call in Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Arsenal, with Manuel Lanzini’s early goal being ruled out for offside, despite the No28 clearly being played on by right-back Hector Bellerin.
The Gunners took advantage by going two goals clear through Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, but the hosts regrouped and stormed into the lead thanks to Andy Carroll’s sensational eight-minute hat-trick either side of half-time.
Arsenal grabbed an equaliser through Laurent Koscielny’s finish, but Jurcevic felt the Hammers – who had two other ‘goals’ disallowed during a breathless game – would have prevailed if Lanzini’s header had stood.
“We saw after the game on the video that it was an absolutely regular goal and in the last few games we have many referee decisions against us, but what can we do?” ,” Jurcevic told West Ham TV. “This is football life and this time it happened.
“It was a very emotional game. It was a fantastic game and I think our supporters can be happy because it was a dynamic 90 minutes.
“On the one side we are a little bit sad because we had a good chance to take three points against Arsenal, but on the other side we can be proud of our play because we fought for 90 minutes and scored three very nice goals.
“The atmosphere in the stadium was fantastic and in the end we must be satisfied with this result, three-three, against a big team like Arsenal. I think it’s OK.”
Having suffered from controversial calls at Manchester United in the FA Cup sixth round and in the Barclays Premier League draws with Chelsea, Crystal Palace and now Arsenal, Jurcevic admitted frustration was growing in the Hammers camp.
“This is a little bit frustrating for all of us,” he conceded. “We speak about our situation in the table and the position and how many points we have, sometimes we think maybe without these decisions we could be fighting for position number three or four minimum in the Premier League.
“But on the other side, it’s not in our hands. We spoke with the guys and they must work hard and give everything in every game, but these decisions from the referees are sometimes really frustrating for us.”
The Hammers were left to rue another questionable call in Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Arsenal, with Manuel Lanzini’s early goal being ruled out for offside, despite the No28 clearly being played on by right-back Hector Bellerin.
The Gunners took advantage by going two goals clear through Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, but the hosts regrouped and stormed into the lead thanks to Andy Carroll’s sensational eight-minute hat-trick either side of half-time.
Arsenal grabbed an equaliser through Laurent Koscielny’s finish, but Jurcevic felt the Hammers – who had two other ‘goals’ disallowed during a breathless game – would have prevailed if Lanzini’s header had stood.
“We saw after the game on the video that it was an absolutely regular goal and in the last few games we have many referee decisions against us, but what can we do?” ,” Jurcevic told West Ham TV. “This is football life and this time it happened.
“It was a very emotional game. It was a fantastic game and I think our supporters can be happy because it was a dynamic 90 minutes.
“On the one side we are a little bit sad because we had a good chance to take three points against Arsenal, but on the other side we can be proud of our play because we fought for 90 minutes and scored three very nice goals.
“The atmosphere in the stadium was fantastic and in the end we must be satisfied with this result, three-three, against a big team like Arsenal. I think it’s OK.”
Having suffered from controversial calls at Manchester United in the FA Cup sixth round and in the Barclays Premier League draws with Chelsea, Crystal Palace and now Arsenal, Jurcevic admitted frustration was growing in the Hammers camp.
“This is a little bit frustrating for all of us,” he conceded. “We speak about our situation in the table and the position and how many points we have, sometimes we think maybe without these decisions we could be fighting for position number three or four minimum in the Premier League.
“But on the other side, it’s not in our hands. We spoke with the guys and they must work hard and give everything in every game, but these decisions from the referees are sometimes really frustrating for us.”
On a much more positive note, Jurcevic was fulsome in his praise for hat-trick hero Carroll, who netted two trademark headers either side of a spanking volley that levelled things up on the stroke of half-time.
“He showed all his class,” the assistant purred. “He is a centre forward par excellence. He is strong in the air with his head and will fight for everything and was absolutely man of the match – not only because of his three goals but because he was running for the team.
“I am really happy for him because he’s had some problems with injuries and could not play 90 minutes in every game, but if he is fit, he is top-class.”
So, where does Saturday’s entertaining stalemate leave West Ham, who sit sixth in the standings with six games to play?
“First we have a very important game against Man United and we have a very big chance to go to Wembley,” Jurcevic observed. “This is our dream and we will try to do the best we can and see what happens.
“In the Premier League we are now in a position where we have a good chance to stay in sixth position, or maybe fifth. Also, if we play another six games in top form we have maybe a chance for position number four.”
“He showed all his class,” the assistant purred. “He is a centre forward par excellence. He is strong in the air with his head and will fight for everything and was absolutely man of the match – not only because of his three goals but because he was running for the team.
“I am really happy for him because he’s had some problems with injuries and could not play 90 minutes in every game, but if he is fit, he is top-class.”
So, where does Saturday’s entertaining stalemate leave West Ham, who sit sixth in the standings with six games to play?
“First we have a very important game against Man United and we have a very big chance to go to Wembley,” Jurcevic observed. “This is our dream and we will try to do the best we can and see what happens.
“In the Premier League we are now in a position where we have a good chance to stay in sixth position, or maybe fifth. Also, if we play another six games in top form we have maybe a chance for position number four.”