It's off to watch this one with Matt at the World's End, where Cup Fever has ensured we're the only two fans in front of the big screen.
The first half is pretty poor, with the Hammers under-hitting or over-hitting passes and Fabianski having to make a smart stop to deny the home side. At least the three centre backs do well to repel the aerial onslaught. The bad news is that Fredericks suffers a hamstring injury and has to be replaced by Zabaleta. Surely the Irons will have to move for a right back if Ryan is out for several weeks?
West Ham play much better in the second half, despite Haller horribly slicing an early one-on-one chance way over the bar. Sebastien then hits the post from a tight angle and Rice has a clear penalty turned down when his shirt is tugged. Eventually the breakthrough comes as Masuaku and Anderson combine to cross only for Fornals to miss the ball. Zabaleta doesn't though, striking a shot clean through the Gills' keeper Bonham. His first goal for West Ham.
Ogbonna does well as the Hammers defence has to survive a series of Gillingham corners. But the second arrives as Haller breaks and inexplicably fails to play in Lanzini to his left, instead passing to Anderson on the right. Felipe does well to win the lose ball and set up Fornals who fires into the corner. Game over.
It hasn't been pretty, but the Hammers have shown some character to get through. The Cup Final breakfast at Nigel's Kew Gardens gaff is still on...
