Tony Cascarino has backed Kalvin Phillips after the midfielder conceded a penalty in West Ham’s 4-3 defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday (30 March).
With 20 minutes remaining and the Hammers leading 3-1, the Manchester City loanee’s difficult stint at the London Stadium continued when Rob Jones gave a penalty to the Magpies.
Phillips collided with Anthony Gordon while attempting to clear the ball from West Ham’s penalty area, and Alexander Isak tucked another penalty away to spark off Newcastle’s comeback.
Cascarino spoke live on talkSPORT on Monday (1 April, 11:57am): “Phillips kicked his leg because Gordon put his leg there. Phillips is looking at the ball, attempting to clear it, while Gordon tries to wrap his leg around it in order to hook it.
“Gordon has missed the ball and put his leg in front as if to say, ‘Go on, kick that’.”
Natalie Sawyer added: “I agree with you, in the sense that I’m not sure what else Phillips could have done. “He has no idea Gordon is coming.”
Cascarino went on, saying, “These things happen in the box sometimes. If you understand football, you can see what Gordon’s motivation was and what Phillips’ issue was. He was focused on the ball, but Gordon was quick to step in and block his path.
“I used to do this. They think they can clear the ball, but if I put my foot on the side of the ball, they’ll go straight past you. Brainless.”
