Newcastle United 0 West Ham United 2 (two)
It's over to Lola and Michael's flat to watch the expected drubbing at St James' Park. On WhatsApp Mystic Matt is surprised that Loppy has dropped Guido Rodriguez leaving us with no specialist defensive midfielders against in-form Newcastle. Still, it's brave, or possibly foolhardy, to bring in Soler to play alongside Soucek in central midfield with talk of Julen having two games to save his job.
There's an early scare when Izak has a goal correctly disallowed for offside. But there's something different about this West Ham side as the team run hard and steam into tackles. After ten minutes West Ham win a corner and from Emerson's dead ball Soucek loses the Toon defence to head powerfully home. Blimey.
A predictable Newcastle onslaught ensues. Willock fires wide and when Todibo miscues to set up Isak, Fabianski produces a great reflex save. But the Irons are also taking the game to Newcastle and countering at pace. Paqueta is playing deeper alongside Soucek and Soler is busy throughout and always ready to try a shot. He certainly looks more dynamic than Guido. Bowen is tireless and Antonio is proving a handful for the Newcastle defence. Micky ends up with a ripped shirt and has to change into a new one on the pitch, revealing an enviable set of abs to the nation.
Shortly before the interval Guimaraes chips through to Isak who fires just wide of the post, while Bowen tests Pope after a decent breakaway.
More APA is required at half-time as I'm convinced we'll still lose and it's hard to concentrate on the aubergine and potato dish on my lap. Gordon fires across the goalmouth as the second half starts. But what sort of thing is happening here? Paqueta robs Guimaraes and sets Bowen free, Jarrod passes inside to the underlapping Wan-Bissaka and Aaron fires into the far corner for his first goal in four years. Incredible.
Nicola wants to know why I'm still stressed and I explain it's the hope I can't take. But Newcastle look strangely jaded and West Ham defend stoutly thanks to Kilman and co. Todibo goes off injured and there's a scare when sub Mavropanos puts his arms around Wilson and Newcastle shout for a penalty. That one could have gone either way.
Danny Ings comes on for Antonio and there's even a late sighting of Andy Irvine. Despite six minutes of added time the Irons control the game and the 3200 away fans in the gods enjoy a series of "oles" as the Hammers play keepball.
It's a very unexpected win. It's the best we've seen from the manager and also players like Soler and Wan-Bissaka. Paqueta was looking more like the player of old too. Most importantly the side seemed to work really hard for each other and one very impressive stat is that West Ham covered 120.7 kilometres, the longest of any side in a Premier League match this season. Two weeks with the players has allowed Loppy to somehow inspire the lads with a work ethic. It's also worth noting that West Ham had six shots on target as opposed to the home side's two.
This was much much better. Let's hope it's the turning point of our season. Irons!
2 comments:
What a game, I watched fearing the worst outcome but comforted by the fact we would get rid of Loppy. Absolutely gob smacked by the performance, so energetic, and some of the passing was sublime. Bowen was inspiring and really the whole team played out of their skins. Loppy hasn't lost the dressing room, I know one game doesn't define a manager but hopefully this will be the start of something better for the future. ( what's APA? )
It was like a different team. I too thought we'd lose by three or four. And you don't associate a West Ham team with so much running. Well done Loppy.
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