Well, it was always entirely predictable that West Ham would beat Man United and lose to Brighton. And that Glenn Murray would score (that's six goals for him against West Ham in the PL). Watched this with Matt in the World's End drinking Camden Pale Ale in front of an underwhelmed clientele. Nigel's at the Central, though its the Central Bar in New Milton.
Early on the Irons force a series of corners and Arnautovic produces a fine first-time spinning volley from Anderson's corner, only for the ball to be deflected behind. Pellegrini's plan begins to disintegrate in the 25th minute when West Ham's full backs are caught upfield. Yarmolenko loses possession and Kayal speeds down the left to fire in an inviting cross. Masuaka is dreaming at the back post and Murray sneaks in for a tap in.
From then on West Ham play it out from the back pretty well with Rice prominent as they apply relentless pressure on Brighton's massed defence. But it's all spoiled by over-elaboration and players like Arnie and Yarmy taking one touch too many. The best chance comes when Obiang volleys into the ground and it bounces over the bar.
The second half sees three good chances for West Ham, while Murray also misses a free header for Brighton. A scampering run from Anderson sees the ball spin across the goalmouth. Balbuena misses a great chance with a free header from a corner and late on Snodgrass sets up Arnie on the six-yard-box, only for our talisman to lean back and hoof it over the bar.
Subs Antonio and Perez don't make much difference and our free kicks are woeful, with Anderson fluffing a number of them and finally Arnautovic firing over. Once again we have made Dunk and Duffy look impregnable at the back.
The Irons really should have got at least a point out of this. The pressure was encouraging but our finishing was poor against a packed defence. Better is required against Spurs.
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