West Ham captain Mark Noble has called for video technology to be introduced in the Premier League to stop big decisions costing the Hammers.
Slaven Bilic's side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in their opening game of the season on Monday night but the east Londoners left Stamford Bridge feeling aggrieved after Diego Costa's late winner.
The Blues striker avoided a second yellow card for a high challenge on goalkeeper Adrian prior to his crucial contribution, with Bilic claiming Costa would have been given his marching orders nine times out of 10.
Antonio Conte defended Costa and believes the Spaniard did not deserve to be sent off but Noble has called for top-flight officials to be aided by technology in order to avoid a similar incident in the future.
“I knew it was a bad tackle. He didn’t get anywhere near the ball. If I made that tackle in the middle of the pitch am I getting a yellow?" he told the Sun.
“I said to Anthony Taylor in the game - and I think he’s a really good ref - ‘What’s the difference between that sort of tackle, which could really injure someone, and a yellow card for a slight pull back on a shirt?’
“I never blame the refs as I know how tough it is, how fast the play goes, how difficult it is to keep up with the play.
“But someone has got to give us some help.
“We have put goal-line technology in, we’ve done that and does anyone argue over whether the ball was over any more? No. Did we used to? Yes.
“Simple isn’t it? It probably takes about five seconds for someone upstairs to look at a video.
“I’ve always been against technology stuff but it cost us last year too. Big decisions. Maybe they do even themselves out but it hurts at the time doesn’t it?” he added.
West Ham have little time to dwell on their disappointment as they face Astra Giurgiu in the Europa League on Thursday night before hosting Bournemouth on Sunday.
