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Pellegrini explains bizarre bust-up with ‘angry’ Arnautovic

Manuel Pellegrini admitted Marko Arnautovic was “angry” at being substituted during West Ham‘s 2-0 FA Cup win over Birmingham.

Arnautovic opened the scoring after just two minutes but looked stunned to be taken off by Pellegrini in the 20th minute.

Hammers boss Pellegrini said the Austria forward had indicated that he had hurt his back and was replaced as a precaution.

Yet in bizarre scenes, Arnautovic continually shrugged ‘why’ as he trudged off, had a lively discussion with Pellegrini on the touchline and stopped in front of the bench to question the medical team before disappearing down the tunnel.

However, Pellegrini said: “It’s not very important because we won the game and he scored a goal.

“He felt some pain in his back at the beginning, I thought that it was better to change him because he is just coming off another injury and he played 90 minutes less than 72 hours ago.

“After that he could continue, but I think it was not good to take the risk. He was angry for just one minute, that is it. He wanted to continue.

“Maybe (he signalled) for the change but after that he felt well. He doesn’t have a problem, just some pain in his back and nothing more.”