Sunday, August 18

Welcome point by the sea for the Hammers

Brighton 1 West Ham 1

In the context of West Ham's terrible record against Brighton, a point and preventing Glenn Murray scoring has to be regarded as a decent result. Particularly as Anderson and Haller (yes, already!) were out injured. Pellegrini dropped Cresswell and Balbuena from the defence and restored Snodgrass and Fornals to the starting line-up, while Chicharito replaced Haller.

Good to see Fabianski have a decent game, with the keeper pulling off fine saves from Stephens and March in the first half and VAR disallowing a goal by Trossard. The Hammers took the lead against the run of play soon after the break. Lanzini made inroads on the left to play a fine ball through to Chicharito who coolly slipped it past the keeper. 

The lead didn't last long, as after a tussle between Murray and Diop, Trossard fired a scorching shot into the Hammers' net. Late on Maupay blazed a great chance over for the hosts, while a determined run by Lanzini set up Snodgrass for a shot that Ryan parried.

Losing four in a row was a terrible start to last season, so at least there is now a point on the board and some encouragement in the form of Lanzini and the enduring poaching ability of Chicharito — though Fornals is still struggling with the pace of the Premier League. WHU need another determined performance at Watford now.

2 comments:

Mj said...

I read that Haller was near ever present last season, why am I not surprised?!

Pete May said...

Come back Andy Carroll!!