KEVIN NOLAN had to be held back from Brentford wind-up-merchant Neal Maupay during West Ham’s win over the Bees.
The Hammers assistant coach, 41, could be seen being pushed away from Maupay by Zanka.
Sky SportsKevin Nolan was held back by Zanka during a confrontation with Neal Maupay[/caption]
Sky SportsMathias Jensen had to pull Maupay away from the row[/caption]
Sky SportsMaupay appeared to be laughing as he walked away[/caption]
Sky SportsNolan was left fuming by the interaction[/caption]
The spiky dispute occurred just after half-time when the teams were heading back out on to the pitch with West Ham leading 2-1.
There was nothing physical spotted between the pair, but Maupay could be seen laughing while Nolan confronted him.
But the 27-year-old striker was pushed away by teammate Mathias Jensen before he could do more to wind up Nolan.
It wasn’t immediately obvious what has caused the war-of-words, but Gary Neville suggested what may have sparked the fire while on commentary duties for Sky Sports.
He said: “The Brentford striker, apparently, we believe was outside the referees room [at half-time] and Nolan has taken offence to it.”
Nolan had already been left frustrated during the first half when he was seen arguing with the multiple members of the Brentford bench after Simon Hooper denied West Ham a penalty.
Ultimately it was Nolan who got the last laugh as West Ham blew away Brentford in a 4-2 victory to win their first match of 2024.
Maupay is well known for his on-field antics and has seen multiple Premier League opponents fall for his chatty mind games.
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The Frenchman rattled Tottenham star James Maddison by copying his darts celebration earlier in the season.
And was caught winding up Manchester City’s Kyle Walker earlier in the season too with a lip reader suggesting he was discussing the England international’s kids.