West Ham saw manager, Paul Konchesky and player, Hawa Cissoko sent off in an ill-tempered 2-1 win at Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League on Saturday afternoon.
A good performance by the visitors was marred by unsavoury scenes in additional time as visiting player, Hawa Cissoko and manager, Paul Konchesky received a red card. It had been the perfect start for Konchesky’s side as they took the lead inside the first two minutes at the Bescot Stadium when Kirsty Smith’s in-swinging corner was headed home by captain Dagny Brynjarsdottir.
Less than 10 minutes later, Honoka Hayashi doubled the Hammers' lead as she slotted her effort beyond Villa goalkeeper Anna Leat. Viviane Asseyi almost made it three before the break as a poor back-pass was picked up by the 28-year-old, however, the angle was too tight as she fired it into the side-netting.
Villa were sensing a comeback, though, as they dominated possession in the second-half, and Carla Ward’s side were awarded a penalty just after the 70 minute mark. Mackenzie Arnold’s heroic display was compounded with a save from the spot as she denied Alisha Lehmann.
As the clock ticked into additional time tempers frayed and Cissoko was involved in an altercation with Villa’s Sarah Mayling and was sent off as a result.
Replays appeared to show Cissoko striking Sarah Mayling with an open palm after the Villa player had pushed her. Unsavoury scenes followed in the dugout with another coming together between both sets of staff and Konchesky also received his marching orders.
The West Ham boss cleared up the situation post-match and came to the defence of his players, as he said: “I’m not sure what happened on the pitch, or how it happened. I did see Hawa raise her hands, but I did see the opponent raise her hands as well. She stays on the pitch, Hawa gets sent off.
“As Hawa goes down the tunnel, some of their staff were saying stuff to my players which I don’t respect. Me and my staff will obviously stick up for my players and I think that’s why you see it all go off near the dugout.
“I did get sent down the tunnel. Was it harsh? Probably because I’m sticking up for my player who is getting stuff said to her. So whatever the consequences I’ll take. We don’t want to see that happening in football, I get it, but I’ll stick up for my players."
Former Hammer Kenza Dali had given Villa a glimmer of hope with a little over 10 minutes left to play with a brilliant strike into the top corner. The hosts were unable to capitalise on the momentum late on as they were unable to break down a resilient Hammers defence.
