Saturday, December 12

Oh what fun it is to see West Ham win away!

Leeds United 1 West Ham United 2

The evening begins with the news that Arthur Masuaku has had a career-saving operation. This seems to have come out of nowhere and was not even mentioned by Moyes in his press conference. So it's back to a flat back-four with Benrahma coming in, which is a brave attacking choice from the gaffer.

WHU get off to a disastrous start as Haller miscontrols, Cooper plays a swift through ball and Bamford races past a surprised defence only to be brought down by Fabianski. Klich muffs the first penalty but sodding VAR rules that Fabianski has moved a couple of inches off his line and it's retaken. With a double Klich the penalty is converted.

The Hammers respond well, with Rice winning lots of loose balls and Benrahma looking speedy on the break, though the other players don't seem to be reading his passes. Looks like he'll be entertaining in a Di Canio-esque way though.

Haller is doing a good impression of a pinball machine as he repeatedly fails to hold on to the ball, but does get a couple of chances, heading into the ground and then shooting at a defender when well-placed. The Hammers' deservedly equalise when Soucek towers above the Leeds defence to head home past a flailing goalkeeper. 

The second half is almost all West Ham. It must be cold up north as Leeds have brought on Shackleton, a player of great endeavour. Benrahma shows he can be too greedy at times, wasting a free kick and taking too long to shoot, though he then sends a good effort just wide. Fornals misses a great chance to make it two by poking wide of the post, Haller has a header tipped over and Balbuena's header produces a great save from Meslier. 

With ten minutes left the Irons finally get the second goal as Ogbonna sends a bullet header into the corner from Cresswell's magic free kick. A great goal from Oggy. we know it isn't going to be Haller's night when he suddenly produces a brilliant overhead kick only to foiled by another fine save from Meslier. Then there's even the bizarre sight of Ogbonna crossing for Balbuena to head against the post.

The Hammers almost pay for their profligacy when Rodrigo gets a free header in the box in added time, but hold on to secure a win on a ground where we never get anything. Man of the match is Robert Snodgrass who is brilliant for the final 30 seconds.

We go fifth. Blimey. This is West Ham's best start since the final season at the Boleyn and we now have to build on it. Irons!

1 comment:

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