Jermain Defoe shared that he was sympathetic over West Ham Michail Antonio failing to convert his chances against Chelsea but suggested he should scored them.
The former Hammers forward was asked whether he had sympathy for the 28-year-old winger after watching him miss a couple of chances that would have seen his side beat Chelsea rather than draw 0-0 with them on Sunday.
Defoe replied to share that he did but pointed out that Antonio could have got his side all three points if he had done better.
“Of course, you know when spoke about in hindsight and you think I could have done this different but y’know when the game’s finished and you look back and you think you know what, I had two good chances and that’s three points and that’s three points that they need,” said Defoe on Sky Sports Main Event (15:31, September 23).
“It’s massive but you know, West Ham had the three best chances in the game so they’ll be really disappointed they didn’t get all three points.”
OPINION
Antonio hasn’t exactly started the season in the best form as it is but his confidence clearly would have taken a knock against the Blues. Manuel Pellegrini opted to play the versatile player, who is usually deployed as a winger, up front against Chelsea and it didn’t pay off. Antonio, who earns £70,000-a-week (Source: Spotrac), should have scored at least one of the two chances he was given on a plate but at least he didn’t pick up the honour of worst miss of the game. That privilege goes to his teammate Andriy Yarmolenko who couldn’t convert from three-yards out near the end of the game. Robert Snodgrass, who is able to whip in crosses like few players can, played in a beautiful ball that the Ukrainian simply had to put the slightest of touches on in order to turn it home. However he ended up guiding it wide. So at least from that perspective, Antonio’s misses might not see him get overly criticised as his teammate may bear the brunt of frustration over just picking up a draw.
