Gary Neville reported that Kevin Nolan was incensed after Neal Maupay attempted to approach the referee during the halftime of West Ham’s 4-2 victory over Brentford.
While commentating for Sky Sports, Neville highlighted a heated exchange in the tunnel captured on camera, showing the West Ham coach confronting the Brentford forward as the teams prepared for the second half.
The controversy stemmed from Brentford’s frustration over not receiving a penalty for an incident involving Mohammed Kudus and Sergio Reguilon, judged by referee Simon Hooper. However, Nolan’s anger seemed to peak after the halftime interval.
Neville observed (at 9.05pm): “Nolan’s really laying into Maupay. It seems the Brentford striker was near the referee’s room, which has clearly upset Nolan. And he doesn’t seem to have cooled off yet.”
Gary Neville highlights the source of the West Ham coach’s anger with the Brentford forward
Despite the friction, the match was a crucial victory for West Ham and their struggling manager David Moyes, marking their first win in the new year against Thomas Frank’s squad.
The match was marked by tension, with several moments of contention involving players and coaching staff.
Nolan’s frustration was further ignited by Christian Norgaard’s perceived simulation in the penalty area, which led to more protests from Brentford’s side.
Maupay, known for his provocative style on the pitch, naturally found himself at the heart of the dispute with Nolan during the break.
Despite the off-field drama, West Ham secured the win with a Jarrod Bowen hat-trick and a remarkable goal from Emerson, capturing vital points and momentarily easing the pressure on Moyes.
With Lucas Paqueta returning to form, Moyes is hopeful that his team can leverage this victory to alleviate some of the mounting pressure.
