West Brom striker Brandon Thomas-Asante set for ban as ‘awful’ footage emerges – BBC pundit
Danny Murphy believes West Brom striker Brandon Thomas-Asante could face a ban for his “awful elbow” on Chesterfield defender Jeff King in the FA Cup third round, he admitted on Match of the Day.
The Baggies played an all-time cup classic as they drew 3-3 with the National League outfit, who were leading the enthralling encounter until the dying embers of the match.
With the Spireites leading 3-2 in injury time and West Brom on the attack, Thomas-Asante appeared to swing an elbow at King behind him, knocking him to the floor and the full-back having to go off for treatment.
The incident was missed by the match officials, but the striker would net the leveller just moments later as he sent the travelling fans into delirium.
BBC pundit Murphy admitted he thought the 24-year-old would face retrospective action for this moment of madness when analysing the game on Match of the Day (Saturday 7 January).
“It’s an awful elbow,” he said.
“He probably won’t get away with it tomorrow or Monday or whenever they have a look at it.
“Now, of course, he gets away with it, and as we have seen many times over the years, a couple of minutes later, he scores the equaliser and deprives Chesterfield of a place in the next round.
“Brandon Thomas-Asante was actually one of their best players, he played really well, but he let himself down with that and will probably face a ban.”
Rash
Thomas-Asante was West Brom’s saviour on Saturday as he netted a crucial brace, but his moment of madness overshadowed all of his good work.
It was evident the striker was lashing out at King out of frustration, and it will likely be deemed as dangerous play. This will come as a shame for Corberan, who had just started to get a tune out of the ex-Salford City man.
The increased competition between Thomas-Asante and Daryl Dike to lead the line for the Baggies has pushed both out of their comfort zones and resulted in the pair hitting top form in recent weeks.
Dike has looked like a menace whenever trusted with a position in the starting XI, while Thomas Asante has scored a bundle of unbelievable goals – including his stunning bicycle kick against Stoke City and his audacious lob against Rotherham.
The striker will be sorely missed if he is struck with a ban, and Corberan might turn to Karlan Grant in his stead.
In other West Brom news, a ‘big-money’ Nottingham Forest player is wanted by the club, and he is available for a transfer.