Was there clear evidence Castellanos spat at a West Ham player?

No — broadcast angles were inconclusive, the referee did not report it, and VAR did not intervene; the FA may review if new footage appears.

How should West Ham respond to avoid losing focus?

Contain the narrative with calm, procedural statements, protect players privately, and redirect media attention to preparation and results to minimize distraction.

Could the incident lead to sanctions?

If a clear, new piece of evidence emerges, the FA can charge the player; absent that, sanctions are unlikely and the episode will fade if managed correctly.

Castellanos Spit Allegation Clouds West Ham's Grit — The Guru Sees the Aftermath

West Ham delivered the kind of resilient performance David Moyes' side have become known for, grinding out results and showing defensive steel when it mattered most. Yet what should have been a narrative about character was hijacked by an allegation that a visiting player, Castellanos, spat in the direction of a Hammers player. The crowd and media pivoted instantly from tactical nuance to tribunal theatre.

The available broadcast angles were inconclusive and the referee made no on-field report; VAR did not intervene. Castellanos has denied deliberate wrongdoing and the Football Association has signalled it will review the footage if warranted. This is classic modern football: a split-second incident amplified into a week-long debate, with evidence the only antidote.

Inside the dressing room, the risk is not disciplinary but distraction — teams crack when curiosity replaces concentration. Moyes, predictably, steered questions back to preparation and mentality, a necessary public posture that also signals control to players and board. The true test for West Ham will be whether they let this noise erode their focus or use it as a sharpening stone.

My advice is blunt: the FA should examine the clip but clubs must protect their narrative — quiet, firm, procedural. If there is no conclusive evidence, West Ham will move on and retain momentum; if evidence emerges, sanctions should follow swiftly to deter repetition. The Guru predicts West Ham will absorb the storm and keep pushing for consistency, provided leadership keeps the story off the pitch where matches are won or lost.