'It Wasn't A Definite Penalty' - Ex-West Ham Coach On Spot Kick Conceded By Ajayi

Former West Ham coach Alan Curbishley does not completely agree with the decision of the referee to award a spot kick to Aston Villa in the closing minutes of their 3-0 win over West Brom on Sunday night.

Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot when Semi Ajayi was adjudged to have fouled Jack Grealish, but television replays suggest that the Villa talisman went down easily in the box.

The penalty incident occurred with four minutes remaining and there was a little bit of debate as to whether the foul was inside or outside the box.

Discussing the major talking points of the game at the Hawthorns, Curbishley said on Premier League Matchday Extra, a television programme of the Premier League Productions : "No (it wasn't a definite penalty). I don't want to label Jack Grealish because he's a fantastic player.

"If he wants to take two or three players and go into the box, then you think now you can make the challenge with him, it's going to be very, very difficult.

"It made no difference to the outcome, Aston Villa were always going to win that game."

Ajayi, who has gone the distance in all but one of the fourteen league matches played by West Brom this season, was not cautioned for the tackle on the England midfielder.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel