West Ham 2 Hull 1: Hull await news on Allan McGregor after goalkeeper suffers kidney damage during controversial sending-off

McGregor collided with Mohamed Diame in the first half and McGregor was shown a straight red card as he was helped from the pitch, despite a clear handball before the clash

Mohamed Diamé is fouled by Hull keeper Allan McGregor, who was sent off (Reuters)

Hull goalkeeper Allan McGregor will wake up in hospital today after suffering kidney damage during an incident which led to his controversial red card at West Ham.

Midway through the first half of Wednesday's Barclays Premier League encounter, the 32-year-old was sent off for bundling over Mohamed Diame after the officials missed the midfielder's handball in the build-up.

The penalty and straight red card appeared harsh, but McGregor would not have been able to carry on even if given a reprieve by referee Mike Dean.

Hull manager Steve Bruce confirmed in his post-match press conference that the Scottish goalkeeper had suffered kidney damage in the incident and, having received treatment on the field, had gone to hospital.

"Unfortunately he is in a bad way," the Tigers boss said. "He has certainly got kidney damage.

"A specialist is on his way now to see him, it is a contusion of his kidney.

"We're hoping it is not ruptured, but it looks a pretty nasty one at the moment. He has gone to hospital and he'll remain overnight in hospital."

The injury compounded what was a bad evening for Hull, despite outperforming West Ham for the most part in east London.

Mark Noble struck home from the spot after McGregor's sending off and, having drawn level through Nikica Jelavic early in the second half, a James Chester own goal saw the visitors lose 2-1.

Bruce was proud of his side's efforts in east London but his overriding emotion after the match was anger, with the officials the focus of his ire.

"McGregor obviously got injured and I honestly think that has made the decision for the referee, the fact he is in a bad way," he said.

"But he has missed a blatant handball so it is a calamity of errors and what makes it worse is if he's not sure about the decision, then how does he send the player off?

"There is no more common sense. There are people marking them in the stands, they get paid handsomely and too often we're sitting here talking repeatedly - any manager I see - about a decision going against you.

"For me, it's too often. We've got to do something about it. They've got to improve."

While Bruce fumed about referees, West Ham counterpart Sam Allardyce was left trying to understand a new experience.

The Hammers boss cupped his ear in disbelief after his side were booed off the pitch at Upton Park, despite ending a three-match losing streak.

"I did it because I was hearing booing, I couldn't quite believe it," Allardyce said.

"I'd seen something I've never seen before. Nothing surprises me, I suppose.

"I can't understand it, to be honest. We've got a difficult situation and it must be frustration."

PA