A harsh lesson for West Ham as the Irons miss at least four great chances and Arsenal nick a late goal via VAR.
I'm among the home fans for this one after meeting daughter Lola and Gooner Michael in the Gunners Tavern for a swift half. Then it's down Drayton Park to the Library.
From the first minute when Bowen latches on to a loose pass from Xhaka and has a shot tipped on to the post, it's evident that Moyes has got his men up for this one. A great ball from Fornals sends Antonio clear down the right and a goal looks certain until Michail crosses behind Haller, who has mistimed his run.
There's a flurry for Arsenal as Sokratis heads against the bar, but for all their possession it's the Hammers who are making chances. Noble sends Haller through only for the French striker's heavy touch to allow Leno to make a save. Then from a corner Diop heads back and Antonio hooks wide from right in front of goal. At half-time it's 0-0 but we should surely be ahead.
After the break the Irons continue to press. Diop makes a great last-ditch tackle, Bowen is working hard defensively and offensively, while Rice is winning tackles and Antonio's strength is causing problems. Ngakia looks really confident against the likes of Aubameyang. We know it's not West Ham's day when Antonio's header is clawed away by Leno. The West Ham man should have scored and could easily have had a hat-trick in this match. Then it's Bowen turn to go on a great run only to shoot too close to Leno.
Sure enough Arsenal score when a lucky deflection sees the ball spin to Ozil whose header is trucked away by sub Lacazette. It's instantly disallowed for offside, but after a millennium-long VAR wait the goal is given as Ogbonna was playing Ozil onside.
There's still time for Haller's snap shot from a good ball by Bowen to be tipped away by Leno. One-nil to the bloody Arsenal.
Lola decides that she hates football and heads for the Bank of Friendship. Back home at Mayhem Corner a disconsolate Nigel arrives with groundhopper Reg and son Henry. The Vicar's Son wants Moyes sacked and predicts relegation. A little harsh as performances have improved greatly in the last three games and we could have had seven points rather than three from them. But as Moyes says, we can't keep reciting hard luck stories. We really should have got something from this. Wolves becomes yet another must win game.
PLAYER RATINGS: Fabianski 7; Ngakia 7, Diop 8, Ogbonna 7, Cresswell 7; Noble 7 (Soucek n/a), Rice 7, Fornals 7 (Anderson n/a); Bowen 8 (Snodgrass n/a), Haller 6, Antonio 6.
1 comment:
nice post thanks for update
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