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Tomkins SLAMS van Persie for 'malicious' elbow (despite Fellaini breaking his nose!)
WEST HAM defender James Tomkins has hit out at Manchester United ace Robin van Persie - despite Marouane Fellaini breaking his nose.
James Tomkins was unhappy with Robin van Persie's elbow at Upton Park
Tomkins had his nose broken by Fellaini during West Ham's 1-1 draw with United yesterday.
But the Hammers centre-back was more upset with 'malicious' Red Devils hitman Van Persie than clumsy Fellaini.
"The nose is a bit swollen," Tomkins said. "Fellaini was the second time in the match when I broke it. He has always got that about him when he goes up with his hands a lot."
"It is tough to say that he does it deliberately, but with the Van Persie one, I think he had a look at me first and then he has gone for me.
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"I think that was more malicious than the other one, even though I came out worse the second time."
"I think it was definitely a yellow at least, but I don't like to say that some should have got sent off. I am sure that there are challenges that I might make in the future that could be yellow or something else."
Tomkins was criticised earlier this season for going down and holding his face theatrically against Everton - and admits that played a part in his reaction.
"Obviously when I went down before it didn't cover me in glory to be honest, so I tried to get up more quickly, but he did catch me, he caught me sweet around the jaw," he added.
"I was expecting a little bit of physical contact from strikers, but when someone looks round and then comes for me it is a bit more malicious."
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