West Ham United manager David Moyes has moved to explain his decision to start Kurt Zouma and why Michail Antonio was not available against Leicester City..
It has been a week to forget for West Ham fans, conceding late against Crystal Palace last weekend which resulted in their first loss at the London Stadium since August.
Then, the Hammers were knocked out on penalties in the Carabao Cup by Championship side Blackburn Rovers, before most recently tasting defeat on home turf once more, this time 2-0 to a much improved, in-form Leicester City.
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West Ham were dealt a blow before a ball was even kicked with Michail Antonio, who is the club’s all-time record scorer in the Premier League, absent from the match-day squad.
Following the conclusion of the contest Moyes revealed the reasoning behind his unexpected omission, explaining: “Michail [Antonio] picked up a bit of a virus, so he wasn’t available [against Leicester].”
Another injury concern arose during the pre-game warm-up when Kurt Zouma was prematurely led down the tunnel to receive treatment. Many expected the 11-time-capped French international to be replaced in the starting line-up, however this was not the case as the defender did start the game, before then being forced off through injury only 15 minutes into the contest, prompting fans to question why this decision was made.
Moyes explained the confusing situation, detailing: “There was no risk up until the warm-up and it was only when the physio pulled me and said his [Zouma's] knee looks a bit stiff, I’m going to take him in and give him a quick flush, give him something in his knee.
“The word I got was that he was fine and ready to start. I had prepared Nayef [Aguerd] to start but Kurt [Zouma] said he was okay. So, we followed the physios who told me he was okay.”
In the 16th minute Zouma was eventually removed having made the injury and was replaced by Aguerd for what was his Premier League debut, having joined the club in the summer from Stade Rennais in a deal worth £30million, making him the fourth most expensive signing in the club's history.
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