Allardyce: A bitter pill to swallow

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has slammed the assistant referee who failed to spot Robin Van Persie's offside position moments before the Dutch striker scored the goal that earned Man Utd a point at the Boleyn Ground tonight.

West Ham were leading 2-1 when a clearly offside Van Persie pounced on a loose ball to find the back of the net. However the 'goal' was allowed to stand, much to the chagrin of Allardyce.

"The reason we didn't win was down to the assistant referee, which was a bitter pill to swallow," he said. "It would have been a famous victory for us all here at West Ham, but it wasn't to be.

"It wasn't a dfficult decision. The assistant referee is right in line with our last defender and he can see the white shirt in advance of him. The ball hits the post and comes off to Van Persie, and he puts it in the net.

"The flag should go up. You'll have to go and ask him [the linesman] why he didn't do it. Fear? Who knows, I don't. You'll have to ask him."

West Ham had taken the lead on the quarter-hour mark through a Ricardo Vaz Te header, before the visitors equalised when Antonio Valencia scored from close range in the 31st minute.

Mo Diame's wonder goal ten minutes into the second period looked as if it may earn West Ham all three points, until Van Persie's offside effort 13 minutes from time was allowed to stand.