West Ham appeal Manuel Lanzini dive ban and hope he could make huge Arsenal Carabao Cup clash tonight
Lanzini was charged by the FA for alleged dive which won Hammers a crucial penalty in the 3-0 win at Stoke
WEST HAM are appealing Manuel Lanzini's diving rap and hope he will be cleared in time to face Arsenal in tonight's Carabao Cup clash.
The Hammers playmaker was adjudged to have dived after what seemed like minimal contact from Stoke defender Erik Pieters and won his side a penalty in the Hammers' 3-0 win at the Bet365 Stadium.
David Moyes' side have submitted written evidence to the FA today and their case will be heard by the independent commission.
The outcome of the appeal will be revealed just a few hours before tonight's quarter-final clash against Arsenal at the Emirates.
The 24-year-old is the second Premier League player charged with the offence after Everton's Oumar Niasse was banned for two games.
Should West Ham fail in overturning the charge, Lanzini would miss the showdown with the Gunners, as well as this weekend's Premier League clash with Newcastle United.
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An FA statement said Lanzini was charged for "successful deception of a match official" and West Ham had until 6pm on Tuesday to respond to the charge.
The away side went on to win comfortably, but Potters boss Mark Hughes will feel aggrieved that his side were pegged back by such a controversial decision, while their opponents walked away with all three points.
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Hughes said of the charge: "Whether or not he is [suspended] or not, it doesn't help us.
"He's clearly dived. He's a clever player, he'll draw a foul or some kind of challenge but he wasn't clipped.
"Referees need to get match-defining decisions correct and he certainly didn't get that one correct."
Whereas Moyes said after the game: "Manu has ran 70 yards and probably ran his race at the end of it, I think the defender going to ground means the referee has a choice to make.
"I don't think there's any intent regarding a dive. I think he's riding the tackle more than anything.
"If you take the whole action into consideration, I definitely don't see it being a dive. I see it being tiredness at the end of it but I don't see a dive."
Moyes has confirmed Joe Hart will start in goal tonight at Arsenal.
The England keeper on loan from Manchester City has been overlooked in the last three games with his replacement Adrian keeping three clean sheets to help the East London side take seven points out of a possible nine.
Skipper Mark Noble is an injury doubt after damaging his hamstring on Saturday.
Andy Carroll could be avaliable, the big striker has recovered from nearly a month out with a bad back.