PEREZ: I DIDN’T REFUSE TO PLAY FOR HAMMERS

WEST HAM’S Lucas Perez has denied he declined to come on as a sub in Sunday’s win at Everton.

TV footage appeared to show the ex-Arsenal striker refusing to come off the bench during the second half of the game.

Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini insisted after the match that there was no issue with the player. And Perez (above) wrote on social media: “I have never refused to warm up in my whole career, let alone play in a match.

“The coach called me to go out and play, but realising that it was faster to sub on Michail Antonio, who was at that moment warming up, he changed his decision.“