West Ham vs Crystal Palace: Glenn Murray admits he was asking to be sent-off after 'a few stupid fouls'
West Ham 1 Crystal Palace 3: Murray admits referee Mike Dean warned him about his tackles before producing a second yellow card after scoring twice
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Glenn Murray admitted he knew he was walking a tightrope before earning a red card at the end of his match-winning performance for Crystal Palace at West Ham.
The Cumbrian striker bagged a brace, with Scott Dann contributing the Eagles' other goal, as Palace beat West Ham 3-1 at Upton Park to pull eight points clear of the relegation zone.
Murray was, however, dismissed after picking up a second yellow for a 69th-minute challenge on Winston Reid, an outcome referee Mike Dean had warned him was coming.
"Obviously it's great to get a couple of goals but I'm disappointed to get sent off, it was just a reaction and I think the referee was almost waiting to send me off after a few stupid fouls," he told Sky Sports.
"I gave him that option and he took it.
"We spoke about it at half-time - 'don't make a challenge' - and I managed not to outside the box but it was just a reaction inside the box unfortunately.
"He just said there'd been a few niggly little fouls and he'd kept having to stop the game so he'd said: 'no more'."
Murray's double gave Palace a cushion which helped Alan Pardew's men survive a late Hammers' fightback that saw Enner Valencia score in the final 15 minutes.
Former West Ham boss Pardew felt "terrific" Murray had had a "mixed afternoon".
He said: "He showed the qualities of a centre-forward with his movement. He could have had a hat-trick in the first half, we only had three or four chances and he had them all.
"It was a great header from the corner, we got a bit of fortune from that, but his other goal was typical of him knowing where to be and he dispatched it.
"The sending-off was a little bit unlucky because I was literally subbing him for Shola (Ameobi) at that stage and he had to go for that in the box. I don't think Reid helped if I'm honest.
"But I think the ref would have sent him off anyway.
"So a mixed afternoon but I'm absolutely delighted with him because I think it's a harsh sending-off and he's not really meant to hurt anybody today. He was terrific."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments