Football
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West Ham's Andy Carroll: Poor refereeing cost us the game

West Ham striker Andy Carroll has lambasted referee Jonathan Moss for an unacceptable performance, even accusing the official of trying to even things up by awarding Leicester a stoppage-time penalty.

Much of the focus during the thrilling contest between Leicester and West Ham was on the officials, with several penalty appeals overlooked before goalscorer Jamie Vardy received a second yellow card having been adjudged to dive in the 56th minute.

Anger grew when referee Moss decided to punish Wes Morgan's pressure on Winston Reid, allowing substitute Carroll to strike home a spot-kick followed up minutes later by a wonderful Aaron Cresswell goal.

However, the match would end 2-2 thanks to a last-gasp Leonardo Ulloa penalty awarded after Jeffrey Schlupp went down under pressure from Carroll -- something which infuriated the Hammers striker.

"It is the same week in, week out,'' Carroll told PA Sport. "The same decisions, bad decisions costing us games.

"It is eight points now that we've dropped. It is not acceptable, to be honest.

"I know that, the manager knows that, all the players know that and a lot of the people standing around, like yourself, know that.

"I mean, it is a bad decision -- it is bad decisions he has given all game. It's not the first time and probably won't be the last.''

Leicester captain Morgan told journalists he was not allowed to speak after the match, seemingly in a bid to stop him expressing his thoughts about the officials.

However, Carroll had no problem letting rip, especially when it came to the penalty which allowed West Ham to level.

"I think it was a poor decision,'' he said. "I think he's trying to even it up and I think a lot of people have said that.

"It's not acceptable. Week in, week out we've had bad decisions.''

It was a display which will no doubt bring referee Moss' position under scrutiny for the remainder of the campaign and underlined Carroll's belief that officials "need help.''

"Whether they've got the camera, whatever you need -- something needs to happen,'' he said.

"We could have been third in the league now if we had eight points. Third -- and now we're still fighting for fourth, fifth spot and we're slipping down by losing these points.

"We could be third and flying, and probably could still be in the cup. It is just disappointing and there's nothing we can do about it when others are making the decision.''

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