Phil Jones was guilty of nothing more than going in for a lusty, 50/50 challenge.
The fact that he copped the knee of Sofiane Feghouli into the back of his thigh and subsequently rolled around in a bundle has made him the fall guy for the West Ham man’s red card.
Referee Mike Dean is taking some godawful flak for his decision to send Feghouli off in the 15th minute, but there is every chance that he could have received some advice from one of his linesmen before flashing the red card.
Jones has not escaped criticism for the crime of reacting hurt when he was indeed hurt.
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic told reporters, “Phil made a meal of it, but you cannot blame him. Maybe he made a meal because he is the one who went dangerously and he is saving himself.”
There was a distinct lack of sympathy for the Manchester United defender on Match of the Day too. As Kevin Kilbane nodded his head in agreement, Martin Keown said:
“I don’t know how he can be so certain of who is fouling who. Sofiane Feghouli is trying to make a tackle, it is more a foul from Phil Jones. The reaction from him gets the player sent off.”
As for social media, well, Jones would be better off ignoring that for a day or two.
it was the 3 reverse rolls that softened the impact and saved him. Oh and got sof sent off
— michael jones (@apl63) January 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/Craig_Honeyman/status/816188458410577920
Phil Jones needs to have a long hard look at himself after that rolling around like a soft cunt, absolute twat
— George Wilson (@George_Wilson_7) January 2, 2017
Hi @PhilJones4. This is what a real CB looks like 👍🏼 pic.twitter.com/hzVoB6gxPy
— SexDrugs&CarltonCole (@S_D_C_C) January 2, 2017
That @PhilJones4 isn't doing too bad on his broken leg after that featherlike challenge from Feghouli
— The West Ham Way (@WestHamWayCom) January 2, 2017
