Matt and Lisa come over to my gaff to watch this one, armed with cans of Gamma Ray. We're joined by lucky border terrier Vulcan. It seems some gamma rays have been sprayed on to the West Ham side too. Moyes has gone for Muhammad Ali-style "rope a dope" tactics as Brighton exert early pressure with Gilmour shooting wide.
But when Paqueta releases Antonio on the left and Micky shoots at the keeper it hints at a potential Brighton weakness. West Ham only complete 31 passes in the first half but somehow take the lead. Ward-Prowse plays a hopeful ball to Antonio on the left. Webster misses the ball and Antonio surges into the box to cross for Ward-Prowse, who has made up a lot of ground to get into the box. Webster blocks the first shot but the ball falls kindly for James to tap home a poacher's goal.
Areola has to make a very sharp save from a low Ferguson shot a minute later. But the Hammers compete for every ball and defend resolutely until the break. Brighton begin the second half with more pressure, as Areola has to claw away a Ferguson header. Soucek has to go off after a punch in the head from the Seagulls' goalkeeper.
Sub Benrahma makes the crucial difference as he is found by Antonio, who is almost playing in the left-back position. Milner is looking vulnerable at right-back and Said plays a superb cross into the path of Jarrod Bowen, who controls it brilliantly and slots it into the far corner. A great goal. "If that goal was scored by Mo Salah they'd be taking about it forever," reflects Matt.
We break out the crisps and hummus. The away fans know what we are, which seems to be Champions of Europe. On 63 minutes WHU are 3-0 up. Bowen feeds Antonio who bamboozles Webster to fire into the corner with a similar goal to the one he scored against Chelsea.
"Are you watching Declan Rice?" chant the away fans. West Ham have chances to make it four. When released by Paqueta, Antonio puts over the easiest chance we've had. Then Ward-Prowse's effort is deflected onto his own bar by Dunk.
Mind you, we're still worried at 3-0, just like we were away to Lyon. Gross pulls back a goal from the edge of the box after 81 minutes and the exhausted Alvarez has to depart the fray. Areola has to make a great stop from Veltman and late on makes a fantastic save to tip Ferguson's header on to the bar. But with 22 per cent possession the Irons hold on to finally beat Brighton at the 13th time of asking. Gavin comments on WhatsApp that, "We totally De Zerbed that". And we go top of the league - at least until Man City play. It's seven points from three games compared to no points from three last time round. Irons!
1 comment:
If there were match ratings for this one, Vulcan would get 11 out of 10. At the very least.
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