West Ham star Andy Carroll was sent off against Burnley
The striker was booked twice in a crazy 99 seconds for elbowing centre -backs James Tarkowski and Ben Mee to earn an early bath after just 28 minutes.
It was Carroll’s first red in 77 Premier League appearances, since February 2014, and only the third of his career.
But that cut little ice with Zabaleta as the Hammers were forced to play with 10 men for more than an hour.
“Andy is a big man. He always goes 100 per cent for the ball when the ball is in the air,” said the right-back.
“Andy’s challenges were a bit nasty from my point of view. It looks aggressive, especially the second one when he knew he was on a yellow card already.
“We need to try to play 11 v 11 for the whole game, especially when you are winning 1-0. You cannot give an advantage to the other team.
Andy’s challenges were a bit nasty from my point of view
West Ham star Pablo Zabaleta
“We can sometimes talk about the referee, but there is nothing to say about the referee [on this occasion].
“We need to be more careful and clever in these situations because in the Premier League, playing with one player less for 80 minutes is really hard.”
Hammers chief Slaven Bilic blasted: “The momentum was ruined by those bookings in two minutes. For a player of Andy’s experience, you can’t do that.”
Michail Antonio tapped West Ham into a 19th-minute lead after rounding Nick Pope when Mee missed Joe Hart’s long kick.
But Chris Wood’s towering header from sub Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s cross four minutes from time earned Burnley a deserved point.
Zabaleta believes Antonio could win an England World Cup spot.
Wrestling star Triple H wants to give West Ham a team talk
“The World Cup is so close and it’s a great chance for many players. Michail is fit, looks sharp and he provides that pace you need,” said the Argentinian.
Wood’s third Premier League goal in six extended Burnley’s unbeaten run to six in the top flight.
The Kiwi believes he can continue his form after his £15m move from Championship side Leeds.
“I’m a guy with a lot of self-belief and I believe I can score goals at this level if I’m given the chance,” he said.
Burnley are seventh, level on points with champions Chelsea, who are fifth, and Clarets boss Sean Dyche said: “We’ve had a really solid start and there’s some real improvement in the players and the team.”
WEST HAM (4-4-2): Hart 7; Zabaleta 7, Reid 8, Fonte 8, Cresswell 7; Antonio 8, Kouyate 7, Lanzini 8 (Masuaku 88), Arnautovic 5 (Obiang 46, 7); Carroll 3, Chicharito 6 (Sakho 75, 6). Booked: Carroll, Reid, Obiang. Sent off: Carroll. Goal: Antonio 19. NEXT UP: Brighton (h), Fri, PL.
REFEREE: Stuart Attwell.
Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
