Sunday, February 7

Disappointing draw and a ridiculous red

"The Force is not strong in Michail's hamstrings"
Fulham 0 West Ham 0

This match was played in atrocious conditions and appeared to be a game too far for West Ham's players. So bright against Villa, this was a tired performance. Lingard and Antonio looked jaded from the start, though the Hammers did have a couple of decent first half chances as Bowen just missed an inviting cross and Soucek headed over when well-placed.

Fulham competed fiercely, as you'd expect from a team fighting to survive. The Irons almost broke the deadlock in the second half as Coufal headed Rice's cross on to the top of the bar. Fresh legs were needed though it's debatable whether Noble and Yarmolenko were the right subs and with Lingard not being fully match fit it was strange to keep him on all game. Antonio's hamstrings needed a rest but having no specialist striker to replace him bar Yarmolenko emphasised the fact that we're unlikely to make the top four.

Fulham had chances to win it with Mitrovic and Loftus-Cheek both hitting efforts wide. To be positive the Hammers' defence did stand up well again and in other seasons we might have lost this.

Just when it's seeming that Mike Dean is having a quiet game VAR intervenes. In the 97th minute Mitrovic has gone down in the box after an elbow from Soucek, though the replays show that it is clearly accidental with Tomas trying to move his arm out of the way. Soucek seems just about the nicest man in football. He wouldn't retaliate even if you stole his potato salad. But Mike Dean watches the replay a million times and then opts for a red, which Ian Wright on Match of the Day later brands, "the worst decision I've ever seen". Surely WHU will win any appeal.

At least Moyes livens up the rainy post-match press conference by appearing in a black hood, channelling the Emperor from Star Wars, a bit of Obi-Wan Kenobe and perhaps The Master from the Doctor Who story The Deadly Assassin. The Force was not strong in West Ham here, let's hope we get it back before The Empire Strikes Back and crocks Antonio. 

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