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Allardyce rues decision

London - West Ham were surprise challengers for a Champions League place before back-to-back defeats derailed their charge.

But boss Sam Allardyce is hoping for a response against West Bromwich Albion to mark the start of the new year as he looks to get his side back on track.

"The players have once again given their all. I cannot question their commitment all season," Allardyce said.

"We have to go again now and we have only lost two games.

"Of course we want to bounce back against West Brom now."

Allardyce was also frustrated that referee Neil Swarbrick and his assistant ruled out Alex Song's early strike due to Diafra Sakho standing offside in front of Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

"If we'd been allowed that goal we wouldn't have lost. We would have kicked on and Arsenal would have found life very difficult from then on," Allardyce said.

"I've not spoken to the ref because I don't see any point in confronting him when you know you're 100 per cent right and he hasn't had the visuals. You can't get anything out of telling him how wrong he's been.

"Going on what we were told at the start of the season, they got it horribly wrong. He (Sakho) wasn't in the eye-line of the keeper. He didn't touch the ball.

"Yes he was offside, but we've seen so many of those allowed as goals. I've not seen one 'not given'.

"Can you tell me what is an offside? Now I'm totally and utterly confused and bewildered. There are far too many inconsistencies."

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