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There was a 'touch of the Di Canio' when Hammer's manager Manuel Pellegrini decided to 'hook' Marko Arnoutovic just a few minutes in to the cup tie against Birmingham City at the London Stadium. 'Arnie' had scored within two minutes but then fell quite heavily, when he got back to his feet he did the usual Arnoutovic grimace, he always looks as if he is carrying a knock! In this instance, whether he was crying wolf or not, Arnie found himself being 'hauled off' by his manager, who obviously had the slight matter of a crucial home game against Arsenal in a week's time on his mind.

That paragon of virtue Stan Collymore has briefly come down from his seat high up on Mount Olympus in order to chuck his two pennies worth regarding the price charged by West Ham for match day mascots. No one emerges with much credit from the situation, least of all West Ham, but for a well known beater of women to come out spouting such hypocrisy beggars belief!

Adrian San Miguel and Andrew Thomas Carroll share today as their birthday, both made a rare starting appearance in the 2-0 FA Cup victory over a very strong and well drilled Birmingham City side who, under the guidance of Gary Monk, were definitely not at the London Stadium just to make up the numbers.