It's off to the Best Meze Cafe to meet Matt and Michael, who is sporting an AK ultra-style black hoodie, though perhaps the AK lads didn't have a signed Hamilton logo on the front of theirs. The big news is that Matt and Lisa are going to Prague on a mini-break for the week of the Europa Conference final.
The Best's chip portions seem to have got even larger, but after a hasty lunch we're off by one pm to make another unusual kick-off time of 1.30pm on a Sunday. It's a buoyant stadium, with flag-sellers busy outside. Inside Fraser, who is watching his two favourite managers, Nigel and CQ make up our number.
Is that the Titanic? No, it's Big Sam who is very visible in his white shirt even from the Billy Bonds Stand. The Leeds fans are in good voice and their desperate side start well. Bamford gets behind the home defence to cross only for Rodrigo to miscontrol, then Harrison has a shot straight at Fabianski. Leeds take the lead from a throw in, Rodrigo scoring with a fine first-time volley. He runs into the arms of Big Sam, which is a brave thing to do
That goal sparks the Hammers into life. Rice starts to dominate and Paqueta does some party tricks. Bamford going off injured helps. West Ham equalise 15 minutes after Leeds scored. Fornals lofts a lovely ball over the defence for Bowen to run on to. Jarrod gets in a good cross and Declan Rice Volleys into the ground and over Robles. Dec runs to te corner flag to celebrate what might be his last goal for the Irons.
Paqueta makes a surging run to set up Fornals, who shoots wide. Pablo then sets up Emerson, whose effort is smothered by Robes. But Leeds have a good chance to equalise as Zouma is tackled, Harrison races clear and sets up Gnonto and Harrison for a set of scuffed shots that earn derision from the Irons fans.
At half-time we're joined by Steve the Cornish Postie, who was dancing in the streets of Crantock last Thursday. The Gav and Big Sam Junior turn up too and there's a quick straw poll on whether Nigel should eat his lucky banana. The vote is he should.
The second half begins to chants of "West Ham are massive!" and Leeds look a little intimidated as the Hammers step it up. Paqueta has a long-range shot saved and Robles does brilliantly to tip over Soucek's header from a corner. CQ hands out some lucky claret and blue sweets purchased from a ferry in Greenland.
On 72 minutes Paqueta feeds Ings, who turns well on the edge of the box to play in Bowen, who skilfully finishes across Robles into the corner. There's a long VAR pause before it's ruled that Jarrod is onside by a couple of inches.
There's still time for Summerville (has he left the Communards?) to get through and be thwarted by a fine block from Emerson. At the other end Paqueta wastefully tries to set up Rice when he could score himself and Ings misses another chance.
GAME OVER, MANUEL
The game is settled when from a West Ham corner Paqueta somehow bamboozles three Leeds defenders to wriggle in from the touchline, slalom across the box and set up sub Manuel Lanzini for a tap-in. A great moment for Manuel in his final home game. Big Sam looks like he could do with a pint of wine. Surely the assist of the season from Paqueta. And Everton and Leicester can't complain about West Ham's effort in this one.
At the final whistle the Leeds players look resigned to relegation as their fans leave. The West Ham players come on for a lap of honour with their kids, Declan receives the Hammer of the Year trophy and Moyesy comes over to pump his fists in front of his biggest fans (and Fraser).
We head to the Eagle where Matt discovers that Tayto crisps are made in a castle in Ireland. He suggests they must make a packet there. The drinks flow, with Hackney Haze from the fridge followed by the unexpected arrival of a newly-cooled bottle of East London Pale Ale. Michael departs for theatrical environs, CQ leaves for her bass class in her bid to become the new Roger Glover and Matt and myself head to Maryland. A difficult season is ending on a high. And on 40 points we thank WHU are finally safe. Irons!
PLAYER RATINGS: Fabianski 7; Coufal 6, Zouma 6 (Kehrer 6), Ogbonna 6, Emerson 6; Rice 9, Soucek 6, Paqueta 9, Fornals 8 (Johnson n/a); Bowen 8 (Lanzini 7), Ings 7 (Mubama n/a).
1 comment:
Great blog as ever
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