Stoke Boss Mark Hughes Believes West Ham's Manuel Lanzini Dived to Win the Penalty in Their Defeat

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes believes West Ham star Manuel Lanzini dived to win the penalty for his side during the Potters' defeat. 

Stoke lost 3-0 to the Hammers at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday. Mark Noble scored the opening goal in the 19th minute for the away side from the penalty spot, before two second-half goals from Marko Arnautovic and Diafra Sakho sealed the win. 

The defeat means that Stoke dropped two places in the Premier League table into 17th place and are now just a point above the relegation places.

Speaking after the game, Hughes was critical of West Ham's Lanzini as he felt he dived to win the penalty. According to Sky Sports, the 54-year-old said that: "We felt a little bit aggrieved with the opening goal. We felt that the guy has dived and the referee has bought it unfortunately.

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"When we were pushing for the equaliser, and in the end because we are chasing [the game] and not doing the right things at the back in terms of making sure that we are still solid even though we are committing more people forward, then we get caught on the break.

"At 1-0, with the way they have been setting up of late, with lots of men behind the ball and good pace on the break, you have to make sure you are vigilant and you don't give them opportunities going the other way."

Hughes also credited the fans for their support during the match and understands their frustrations. He continued by saying that: "Up to 75 minutes before the second goal, I thought the fans were absolutely magnificent, they were driving us on, totally behind us. 

"Like ourselves on the bench, as soon as the second goal went in it took the wind out of our sails, you get a little bit anxious, a little bit angry then you get a response but for the most part I thought they were great."