Southampton 3 West Ham 2
Having watched Match of the Day I still can't see that it was a penalty. Yes, Zabaleta puts pressure on Yoshida as he goes up, but if every coming together for an aerial challenge were a penalty Lee Mason would end up awarding thirty spot-kicks a game. A point gained from 2-0 down with ten men would have set up our season. But as it is we're bottom after two away matches and defensive mistakes have again cost WHU.
You knew it was all likely to go wrong when Winston Reid injured his calf in the warm-up and had to be replaced by Ogbonna. Fonte was outpaced by Gabbiadini running behind him for the opener (that was the Saints' first home goal in nine hours of football) and had no need to pull back Davis for the penalty that made it 2-0. I'd thought the crowd goading him might inspire Jose, but again it looked like time was catching up with him.
Marco Arnautovic had looked lively early on, putting a good chance wide after a great through ball from Antonio and then producing a fine save from Forster after Hernandez whipped in a good cross. So it was inexplicable that he then put his elbow into Stephens' neck and rightfully earned a red card. Noble could also have seen red for a rash challenge and the Hammers had some more luck when Gabbiadini hit the bar.
But at least the side looked annoyed at 2-0 down with ten men and staged a great comeback. Antonio showed real strength to turn and shoot and Hernandez proved just what a fine poacher he is by tapping in the rebound off Forster before the break.The equaliser was a great goal. Cresswell produced a fine cross and sub Diafra Sakho was unlucky to see his header tipped on to the bar by Forster. But Hernandez was brilliant in the way he reacted to poke home with the outside of his boot.
Redmond hit the top of the bar late on but it looked like a deserved draw until the Hammers fell victim to that late Lee Masonic conspiracy. Charlie Austin rolled it home after Nobes had told him Joe Hart knew where he was going to put it. We can't even get our gamesmanship right at the moment.
If Jose Mourinho is letting his horses run free, some of ours look set for a spell with Steptoe and Son. The positives were the form of Antonio and Hernandez, but now the Hammers really have to get a result at Newcastle.
2 comments:
Hi Pete, yes it was minor contact by Zabeleta but it was contact and refs all judge these things differently. in the Spuds game yesterday there was much more man handling and it all went unpunished.
2-2 would have been the just result, but we are getting better and these players will take a few games to become a team. Chico is just what we have needed although whether AC can stay fit enough to ever develop a striking partnership i really doubt.
the defence are coming under a lot of scrutiny but they have done ok in the past and I am sure they will find form again.
Its uncomfortable being btm of the table but I am not pressing the panic button there are a lot of very encouraging signs, not least the owners putting their hand very deep into their pockets and that has surprised me.
COYI
Guess our three away games in a row will be balanced by three in a row at home at some stage later this season Rob. Early days yet. Though the lack of pace in our defence is still worrying and Hart needs to get some clean sheets to get his confidence back.
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