Slaven Bilic slams Cheikhou Kouyate red card decision

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has criticised Mark Clattenburg's decision to show Cheikhou Kouyate a straight red card during his side's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace this afternoon.

A trademark Dimitri Payet free kick had given the Hammers a 2-1 lead over their out-of-form opponents at Upton Park when Kouyate was dismissed for a foul on Dwight Gayle.

Gayle went on to score the equaliser just eight minutes later, and Bilic believes that the sending-off had a "huge impact" on the game.

"We have every right to be very disappointed. It had a huge impact on the game," he told reporters.

"For anyone who has anything to do with football it's very easy to judge that decision. It is simply never a red card. For me personally it is not even a yellow card.

"In England maybe it's not even a foul - a 50-50 challenge! It's now four points (dropped) in two games. But we will keep fighting."

The result leaves the Hammers three points adrift of the final Champions League place after Manchester City thrashed Bournemouth 4-0 this afternoon.