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James Tomkins has accused Robin van Persie of making a “malicious” challenge on him.
The Manchester United striker appeared to throw a straight arm into Tomkins’s face as the pair fought for a high ball but referee Mark Clattenburg failed to take any action.
“I was shocked he didn’t get a yellow card at least,” said Tomkins. “The linesman could have helped him a bit more, he was closer to it and he had a good angle. He caught me sweet around the jaw. You expect physical contact from strikers but when someone looks round and comes for you it’s a bit more malicious.”
Tomkins, who broke his nose when he collided with Marouane Fellaini, was accused of play-acting earlier in the season after an incident with Everton’s Kevin Mirallas but yesterday he was back on his feet quickly, which may have helped Van Persie escape punishment.
“Obviously that [the incident with Mirallas], didn’t cover me in glory so I tried to get up more quickly this time,” said Tomkins, who was superb alongside stand-in centre-half Cheikou Kouyate.
“The broken nose came later when I went up with Fellaini. He goes up with his hands a lot but it’s tough to say that he does it deliberately. With Van Persie, though, I think he had a look at me first and then he has gone for me. I think that was more malicious even though I came out worse the second time. The referee spoke to me afterwards. He said he was there to protect me and that he was going to have a look at it again afterwards. I think he will see that there is a bit of intent there.”
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Only Daley Blind’s injury-time equaliser denied West Ham victory and Tomkins added: “Yes, we were disappointed but that is how times have changed for us.”
Tomkins will play at Southampton on Wednesday despite his broken nose and Andy Carroll should return from an ankle injury.
