Crystal Palace 5 West Ham 2
We knew the side might be tired after Thursday's efforts against Leverkusen but there was no excuse for this. Had to turn off the radio after 31 minutes when it was 4-0. West Ham are a goal down after seven minutes when Fabianski comes and doesn't get Hughes' cross allowing Olise to head home. The second comes after a poor pass out of defence by Zouma leads to Mateta getting behind Ogbonna. Fabianski does well to save with his leg but Eze scores from the rebound with a brilliant overhead kick.
Number three is a comedy own goal from Emerson as Fabianski and Emerson leave the ball to each other. Number four sees Mateta tap home way too easily having got between Zouma and Ogbonna. The Hammers have no answer to Eze and co in midfield, though Antonio does bag a consolation after Soucek wins a header from Coufal's cross.
Moyes looks disgusted on the touchline and could substitute all 11 players, but opts to replace Ogbonna and Soucek at half-time with Johnson and Cresswell. The fifth goal is another embarrassment as Eze nutmegs Zouma to set up Mateta for his second. Thankfully Palace don't make it eight or nine as the game becomes a training exercise. Palace even gift the Hammers a second when Mitchell's back pass is missed by Henderson for another comedy own goal.
David Moyes was at least honest in his post-match apology, saying he was ashamed of the performance. This was absolutely not good enough and the defence is conceding as many goals as the bottom three clubs. We're either very good or very bad. West Ham are not playing like a Moyes side, he is normally capable of making a side resilient and difficult to break down.
The lack of squad depth and the age of the players is showing, with a big rebuild needed in the summer. And if the side keep playing like this it may well be under a new manager. A big reaction is required against Liverpool.
No comments:
Post a Comment