MARKO ARNAUTOVIC plunged his former boss Mark Hughes and Stoke City deeper into trouble with a goal on his return to the Potteries
West Ham’s record £24million signing delivered the late Hammer blow which sealed his old club’s fate, rifling his shot beyond Jack Butland following a one-two with Manuel Lanzini.
Arnautovic who had been targeted for abuse all afternoon by furious Potters fans, then wound them up even more by crossing his wrists above his head to signal the Hammers’ irons crest.
He was substituted shortly afterwards by David Moyes and had to be escorted up the tunnel after a Stoke fan appeared to hurl his scarf at the controversial Austrian.
Substitute Diafra Sakho added a third as West Ham supporters taunted Hughes with chants of: “You’re getting sacked in the morning!”
But even Arnautovic couldn’t claim to be the biggest villain of the day as referee Graham Scott turned the match with a shocking penalty decision to hand West Ham an early lead.
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Earlier he celebrated scoring against his old club in the traditional manner
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On a day of drama, the kick off was delayed by an hour until 4 o’clock due to a power surge – followed by a stadium black-out!
Sadly, despite normal service eventually being restored, Scott remained totally in the dark all afternoon.
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The match turned in a matter of seconds, as result of the official’s howler, as play raged from one end to another at breakneck speed.
Ryan Shawcross’s glancing header from Xherdan Shaqiri’s free kick bounced off Adrian’s back post with the West Ham ‘keeper beaten.
West Ham hared up the park and Lanzini burst into the box.
Despite Erik Pieters going to ground, there was absolutely no contact by the defender and Lanzini produced a theatrical dive to con the match official into awarding a penalty.
Hammers captain Mark Noble converted as he celebrated becoming the first West Ham player to make 300 Premier League appearances.
Lanzini, meantime, can expect a knock on the door and possible three-match retrospective ban for simulation once the beaks study footage of the incident.
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Hughes can expect a serious chat with Stoke board members after this latest hiccup.
The result meant the Hammers had already climed above Stoke in the table before substitute Diafra Sakho compounded the home side’s woes.
He collected Lanzini’s through ball and slotted coolly past keeper Jack Butland.