West Ham United win their appeal against a red card shown to midfielder, Cheikhou Kouyate at Blackburn Rovers, as David Ironmonger reports.
A five goal hammering of Blackburn in the FA Cup quarter-finals was overshadowed by two red cards at the weekend, but West Ham’s appeal against the Kouyate has been upheld and his one-match ban overturned.
The 26 year old midfielder was sent off at on Sunday after referee Jonathan Moss found that he had denied Rovers defender, Adam Henley a goal scoring opportunity.
Speaking immediately after the match Blackburn’s manager Slavan Bilic said: “From my position, I am not happy with that. I know the ball went to Randy [Darren Randolph], to our keeper, so it is definitely not a goal scoring opportunity. A foul? OK. But not a red card so we are going to appeal and I think we have a really strong case.”
On Wednesday the FA overturned Moss’s decision and a one match ban after an independent inquiry.
This means that Kouyate, if fit, will be able to play in Saturday’s game against Sunderland.
The 5-1 thrashing delivered by West Ham was hugely welcomed by the Hammers fans, regardless of the opposition being a lower league team.
It is only the second time in the past 10 seasons that they have reached the last eight in the FA Cup – In 2006 they were runners up to Liverpool in the finals.
The Hammers will now travel to Old Trafford in the quarter-finals – a tough draw, but one that the Hammers will be relishing given United’s inconsistent form.
Overall West Ham are still in a good position, lying 6th in the Barclay’s Premier League. With eyes on a place in European football another strong possibility if they can stay above the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool, this could be a magically end to the Hammers season at the Boylen ground before moving to the Olympic Stadium.
Merciless
As Matt Dean writes, the victory over Blackburn was an impressive performance. Hammers Midfielder Dimitri Payet scored twice and set up Emmanuel Emineke to score his first goal for the club. Payet wrapped up the victory with a solo effort from his own half.
Blackburn had opened the scoring in the 20th minute with Ben Marshall’s sneaky shot going past Darren Randolph. Rovers lead didn’t last long, as Victor Moses ran past five Blackburn players before firing past keeper Jason Steele.
Spurred on by the equaliser, West Ham grew in confidence taking the lead over the Championship underdogs.
Payet curled in a free kick from nearly 30 yards to put West Ham 2-1 up at half time. Blackburn started the second half off brightly creating some chances to level the score. Ben Marshall who offered a glimmer of hope in the first half, punched a free kick that was narrowly headed over the bar over by keeper Darragh Lenihan.
Blackburn looked desperate to take control. West Ham were merciless, running rings around a club that has certainly seen better days.
Rovers’ hopes for a way back into the game were soon dashed with Chris Taylor’s dismissal.
Cheikhou Kouyate had a goal ruled out for offside. Soon after he was the provider. Victor Moses latched on to Mark Noble’s through ball. Kouyate picked up the ball, unselfishly squaring it for Emineke, who tapped it in at the back post.
Kouyate’s sending off was too late to help Blackburn in the 83rd minute. The Hammers were always the dominant force and Emineke rounded Steele, adding his second of the game. Payet sealed the victory with a dribble from the half way line.