David Moyes criticises Felix Zwayer after Aaron Cresswell’s red card threatens West Ham’s Europa League dream

David Moyes has questioned the performance of referee Felix Zwayer after Aaron Cresswell was shown a controversial red card in the first leg of West Ham’s Europa League quarter-final tie with Lyon.

The Hammers full-back was shown a straight red in injury time at the end of the first half for pulling back Moussa Dembele as he raced forward.

It was a soft decision, especially considering Dembele was moving away from goal, and Moyes was also booked by the referee for his protests at the break.

The West Ham manager pointed to a challenge on Jarrod Bowen in the build-up to the move which produced the red card - with Hassouem Aouar barging the forward to the ground.

"The only thing I’m going to say is the tackle in lead up to it on Jarrod was a foul in the same phase of play so I expect that to be bartered into it," said Moyes.

"That’s the disappointment for me.

"The only thing I want to focus on is if it’s a free kick on Jarrod. If it is I’d have expected VAR to check that. That’s what we do in the Premier League. It’s in the same phase of play."

West Ham responded to the second half with a goal through Bowen, before Tottenham loanee Tanguy Ndombele pulled one back for the visitors.

Moyes was also bemused as to why a supporter charged onto the pitch as West Ham were breaking forward at 1-1 looking to find a winner and take a lead to Lyon for the second leg.

"I was [baffled]," said Moyes.

"This is a really good football club, doing so many good things to improve but those things tonight certainly didn’t help the team. We were on a counterattack at the time with an opportunity to score."

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