Someone called Noel Gallagher is in attendance at the London Stadium trying not to look back in Ongar. In a week of surprise reunions we're joined by Clacton's prodigal fan Alison, eager to escape her local MP, whoever he is. Nigel and CQ are here, though Michael is possibly being held in a flat full of bad people. We hope to rescue him soon. Black balloons waft in the air, released as part of the restore our concessions campaign.
A tardy Matt and Gavin miss the early West Ham onslaught as Bowen tests Ederson and then Antonio nearly gets a toe to Kudus' dangerous cross, only to be thwarted by Dias' fine clearance.
Then City, playing in a luminous cycling kit, start to establish their passing rhythm and West Ham's full-backs aren't getting close enough to Doku and Grealish (who has left the sniper at home it seems). The double pivot of Alvarez and Rodriguez doesn't quite work and Soucek is a little unlucky to have been be dropped. Alison remarks that Kilman's defending reminds her of my firm but fair performances for the Shenfield School First X1 in the 1970s, as Nigel comments that's why I'm still worth £40 million, even though these days my pace might have waned a little.
City take the lead when Emerson overhits a pass to Paqueta, who miscontrols allowing Bernardo Silva to play in Haaland. With two touches the Iron Giant makes the finish look easy. Haaland adopts a meditative squat channelling Zen and the art of ponytail-tying.
City take control as De Bruyne forces a fine save from Areola and then hits the post. Haaland even races back 50 yards to dispossess the flying Antonio.
But suddenly the Hammers are back in it. Bowen races down the right to cross hard and low. There's no-one in the box but Dias turns the ball past Ederson. Disbelieving cheers and laughter echo round the stadium.
But you always sense City can move up a gear. Ten minutes later Grealish is allowed to cut in too easily and a neat interchange between Kovacic and Lewis sets up Haaland to turn and wallop a shot into the top of the net. Emerson could have been tighter.
But there's always hope if we can get the ball to Kudus. Just before the interval Alvarez finds him and the pacy wide man shoots just wide from the edge of the area. The key moment occurs just after the break. Paqueta does well to calmly play the ball to Kudus from his own six-yard-box. Kudus explodes into the City half, finds Bowen, takes the return ball and fires against the top of the post. That thrilling break certainly lifts the crowd as they sense an upset.
SUPERSONIC HAALAND
Lopetegui brings on Fullkrug, Coufal, Soucek and Summerville as the Hammers try to equalise. Paqueta stays on but is having one of those games where very little comes off. But the game is over after 83 minutes. Mavropanos rushes out of defence, fails to win the ball and leaves a big gap behind him. The other defenders don't cover and Haaland expertly keeps just onside and casually lobs over substitute keeper Fabianski. Matt suggests that Todibo has to play next time.
The popping black balloons sound like burst bubbles. There's still time for Soucek to screw an effort wide and Ederson to tip Summerville's shot against the post. At least we've given the best side in the country a game and seen glimpses of hope. Some might say City look certain to win the league again.
We're in need of alcohol and no cigarettes as we head for the Eagle. The fridge isn't working so it's warm East London Pale Ale and Atlantic as Matt announces that Oasis were a bit overrated and Nigel says he never plays their later albums. We catch an unexpected gig, a couple of Irish blokes on stage singing The Wild Rover, Gentle on my Mind, Whisky in the Jar and Dirty Old Town, all over a backdrop of dodgy WHU defending being analysed on the TV screen. We've not even had to log on to Ticketmaster to attend.
So it's Fulham next week and the Hammers in need of another away win in London. Still, it's no disgrace to lose to City. Bowen and Kudus have played really well and the new signings need time, so let's see where we are after the first ten games.
PLAYER RATINGS: Areola 6 (Fabianski 6); Wan-Bissaka 6, Kilman 6, Mavropanos 5, Emerson 5 (Coufal 5); Rodriguez 6, Alvarez 5 (Soucek 5), Paqueta 5; Bowen 7 (Summerville 6), Antonio 6 (Fullkrug 5), Kudus 8.
No comments:
Post a Comment