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Paul Merson: Jozy Altidore substitution 'changed the game' for Hull City
Pundit perplexed at American attacker's removal...
30 Jan 2010 22:39:00
By Zac Lee Rigg
Former England international Paul Merson has criticised Hull City manager Phil Brown for substituting Jozy Altidore in the 69th minute against the Wolverhampton Wanderers.
By that point the American had assisted one and won a penalty to put the Tigers ahead twice, only to see Wolves claw their way level each time. Altidore even had a one-on-one which fellow American Marcus Hahnemann saved.
Two minutes after Matt Jarvis evened up the score at 2-2, Brown threw in his new Egyptian signing Amr Zaki to replace the 20-year-old USA international.
"I can't believe Phil Brown made the substitution,” Merson told Sky Sports. “Jozy Altidore was a threat, an absolute threat. He set up the first, then won the penalty but he had a one-on-one and Hahnemann made the save - but Wolves were relieved to see him go off because he was a big, big threat.
"Zaki came on and did alright but not as well as Altidore. I thought that substitution changed the game."
Altidore helped get the ball rolling in the 11th minute. Holding off two defenders, he fed Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. The Dutchman hit a left-footed drive from 20 yards to open the scoring.
An Anthony Gardner own-goal evened proceedings in the second half before Altidore won a penalty. Ronald Zubar climbed all over the American in the box, leaving the referee little choice.
"I thought it was the worst decision I have seen in a long time," mused Wolves manager Mick McCarthy to The Guardian, pausing for dramatic effect. "By Ronald Zubar. The penalty was a penalty. No question."
After Altidore left the pitch with some 20 minutes left in the game, both sides cooled and shared the points equally.
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By that point the American had assisted one and won a penalty to put the Tigers ahead twice, only to see Wolves claw their way level each time. Altidore even had a one-on-one which fellow American Marcus Hahnemann saved.
Two minutes after Matt Jarvis evened up the score at 2-2, Brown threw in his new Egyptian signing Amr Zaki to replace the 20-year-old USA international.
"I can't believe Phil Brown made the substitution,” Merson told Sky Sports. “Jozy Altidore was a threat, an absolute threat. He set up the first, then won the penalty but he had a one-on-one and Hahnemann made the save - but Wolves were relieved to see him go off because he was a big, big threat.
"Zaki came on and did alright but not as well as Altidore. I thought that substitution changed the game."
Altidore helped get the ball rolling in the 11th minute. Holding off two defenders, he fed Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. The Dutchman hit a left-footed drive from 20 yards to open the scoring.
An Anthony Gardner own-goal evened proceedings in the second half before Altidore won a penalty. Ronald Zubar climbed all over the American in the box, leaving the referee little choice.
"I thought it was the worst decision I have seen in a long time," mused Wolves manager Mick McCarthy to The Guardian, pausing for dramatic effect. "By Ronald Zubar. The penalty was a penalty. No question."
After Altidore left the pitch with some 20 minutes left in the game, both sides cooled and shared the points equally.
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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