“He doesn’t know what he’s gotten himself into” – PGMOL Boss Mike Dean drops damning verdict on “FA huge action” for Mohammed Kudus offense with West Ham helpless in the situation
West Ham star Mohammed Kudus may face further disciplinary action following his sending off in West Ham’s 4-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, according to referee pundit Mike Dean. Kudus’ red card adds to West Ham’s woes after a tough start to the Premier League season, where the team has only managed two wins in eight matches, suffering four losses so far.
Kudus had initially given the Hammers a bright start, scoring a well-taken goal just before the 20th minute to put them ahead. However, Spurs quickly responded when Dejan Kulusevski equalized before halftime. The second half was a nightmare for West Ham, as Tottenham took complete control. In a brutal 10-minute stretch, Spurs scored three times. Yves Bissouma netted Spurs’ second, followed by a disastrous own goal from West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. Son Heung-min then sealed Tottenham’s dominance with a well-executed strike, leaving West Ham in tatters.
Things went from bad to worse for West Ham and Kudus, who had been their hero in the first half. After the VAR review, the Ghanaian was shown a red card for violent conduct, which could lead to even more consequences. Kudus was initially booked for a foul on Spurs defender Micky van de Ven, but VAR upgraded the yellow card to a red after Kudus pushed the face of Tottenham’s Pape Matar Sarr in a separate incident. According to former referee Mike Dean, Kudus could face additional retrospective action for this second altercation. Dean suggested on Sky Sports’ Soccer Special that the FA may punish Kudus for both offenses: “He could have got sent off for the first offence… The FA can then take retrospective action about the second offence. He will get done twice. He has hit two different players.”
As it stands, Kudus is set to serve an automatic three-match suspension due to the straight red card, meaning he will miss West Ham’s crucial upcoming fixtures against Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, and Everton. His absence will add further pressure to manager Julen Lopetegui, who is already facing criticism due to West Ham’s inconsistent form this season.
Kudus’ rise to prominence has been impressive. The winger began his professional career in his native Ghana before moving to Europe in 2018, where he joined Danish side Nordsjaelland. After two successful seasons in Denmark, Kudus earned a move to Dutch giants Ajax, where he showcased his talents on a bigger stage. West Ham secured his services in the summer of 2023 for a fee of £38 million, and he signed a long-term contract with the club that runs until 2028, with an option for a further year.
His disciplinary issues aside, Kudus has been one of West Ham’s more promising signings this season, but this red card and possible further suspension will be a major setback for both the player and the team as they try to turn their season around. West Ham’s fans will hope that Kudus can bounce back and make a positive impact when he returns from his suspension, but for now, his absence leaves a significant hole in the Hammers’ attacking lineup.