Regarding the Cresswell challenge. Pawson saw it, of course he saw it, he didn’t give a free kick because he knew if he did he’d have to send him off. There was no way he was making what he thought would be a match defining decision after 8 minutes. Arguably he made one after two, but to him Liverpool ought to be good enough to overcome an early goal, so let that stand. West Ham might not be good enough to to play for 82 minutes with 10, so there’s no way he’s giving it.
Atwell also saw it, he had to. But he made the same calculation. Too early and it might have to big an effect on the game.
The worst thing is, you see that performance, you see how dreadful it is and you say to yourself “you know, I don’t even think he’s the worst one we’ve got”. That’s how bad the situation is in this country.
We lost because collectively we were every bit as bad as Pawson and Atwell, but that shouldn’t let them off the hook.