The late sending off of Freddie Piquionne for jumping into the crowd and earning a second yellow card, cost west Ham the chance of an away win at Goodison Park on Saturday.

WEST HAM boss Avram Grant has slammed the rules that forced referee Peter Walton to send off Freddie Piquionne during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Everton at Goodison Park.

Already booked, the Frenchman was given his marching orders after jumping the advertising barrier and celebrating what he thought was the winning goal with just five minutes to go of the Premier League clash.

Piquionne was sent packing and Everton took full advantage to grab a late equaliser, but Grant believed it should never have come to that.

“For me, Piquionne’s red card was a joke,” slammed the West Ham boss. “He scored a goal and wanted to celebrate with the supporters.

“Who, more than the supporterts, deserves to celebrate a goal with the player who has just scored it?

“Our fans came all the way here to the game, they were behind us throughout the match and they wanted to celebrate with us.”

Piquionne had been booked the first time when the linesman flagged for a late tackle and though the referee played the advantage, he went back to yellow card the Frenchman at the end of the move.

That put the striker on a tightrope, but it seems that he must have forgotten that, because when his super header hit the net he wheeled away towards the Hammers’ fans, and the rest is painful history.

“I know it’s the law, but if the law’s stupid, then we need to change it,” said Grant. “What do we do, tell the players to shake hands and calmly say ‘thank you’?”

“Football is an emotional game. When I score a goal in our Thursday staff match, I celebrate and now I just hope they won’t start giving me a red card too!

“I know that Frederic Piquionne has to respect the ruled, but what do I tell a player who has scored an important goal for us – don’t celebrate?”

Well, when that player has already been booked, when you are bottom of the league, but have gone in front with five minutes to go away from home, then yes, you do tell the player not to jump a barrier and cuddle the crowd.

It is common sense, and it is that lack of common sense that was to cost West Ham two points towards their survival battle.