The 2-2 draw against West Ham was overshadowed by the controversy over the red card shown by referee Phil Down to Fulham’s South African midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi.

The former Golden Arrows player was just short of completing his first 45 minutes in a Fulham shirt when he clashed with Hammers midfielder Scott Parker. Despite both players squaring up to each other and apparently going nose to nose, Parker only received a caution whilst Down, following consultation with his assistant, decided to dismiss the Fulham man.

Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson was furious about the decision. "I come from a generation where violent conduct is violent” he said "I have a problem getting my head around two players nose to nose and one of them sent off for violent conduct. I have a problem with that."

The player himself was also unhappy with Dowd’s decision. “Parker hit me with his head and I pushed him away to protect myself," said Dikgacoi “I was very disappointed with the referee’s decision because I thought I didn’t deserve the card.”

He will have time to forget about the sending off as he prepares for South Africa’s friendly international against Norway.