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Grant claims ref missed martial art-like attack

Frederic Piquionne's equaliser influenced the referee's performance, according to West Ham boss Avram Grant © PA Photos

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West Ham boss Avram Grant was disappointed with some of the decisions his side encountered as Stoke advanced to the FA Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 victory on Sunday.

The Hammers were initially handed a fortunate equaliser when Frederic Piquionne controlled the ball with his arm en route to cancelling out Robert Huth's opener.

However, Stoke then received a soft penalty and avoided conceding one of their own as James Tomkins was dragged down by Jon Walters. Grant felt the referee had tried to even things up after missing Piquionne's handball.

"I think maybe this is the reason the referee started the second half very strange," he said.

"It was a penalty for us at the end which he didn't give. What happened with Tomkins was more bushido (the Japanese code of conduct for samurai warriors). Maybe he felt a little bit guilty. I think it was the effect of the first goal for us."

Stoke manager Tony Pulis hoped controversy would not overshadow the club booking their first FA Cup semi-final appearance for 39 years.

"We have been very unfortunate this year, we have copped quite a few [bad decisions] in the league," Pulis said. "We were very good for 25 minutes and then when they get their first shot on goal from that it was disappointing. From where I was standing it looked a stone-banker handball.

"Matty [Etherington] came out in the second half and missed a penalty and that knocks you down again but great credit to the players - for a lesser team that would have affected them.

"For two and a half years at this club, since we were promoted, we have been written off. We have got to three quarter-finals of cup competitions, now we have a semi-final. We've finished 12th and 11th in the Premier League and the players and chairman deserve a hell of a lot of credit."

Stoke, who are into the last four for only the fourth time in their history, now face Bolton at Wembley.

"I think it is being disrespectful to Bolton to say it is the draw we wanted, we just wanted to win today," added Pulis. "We will treat them with total respect. If you look at Bolton and their history, they have been a Premier League side a lot longer than us and have established Premier League players. We will respect them and we know it will be a tough game for us."

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