Well that will teach me to leave a minute early, won’t it?
We must take a lot of positives out of this game, but must also bear in mind the negatives. It was devastating to lose Ilunga and Cole so early and we did well to regroup and recover, especially as we seemed to be playing the referee too.
We hit the ground running and played some sublime one touch quick passing football in the first five minutes. The rest of the first half was fairly even but we always looked dangerous going forward. Cole was having a stormer before he had to go off with a strain. The watching Fabio Capello must have been far more impressed than he would have been by the lump that calls itself Emile Heskey.
We should admit we were lucky with the penalty. I thought Hines was offside when he got the ball. But we’ll take any bit of luck that comes our way. I didn’t fancy Noble to do the business, even though he was having a good game. But do the business he most certainly did! A brilliant penalty, high into the roof of the net. Villa were unlucky not to equalise with a storming hald volley which Green saw very late but somehow managed to deflect over the crossbar. A storming save.
I thought we went in at half time a little lucky to be one up, but playing relatively well. Five minutes into the second half Villa were awarded a penalty for, well, I haven’t got a clue. Was it because Da Costa climbed onto one of their player’s backs? Buggered if I knew, and no one around me did either. But Green saved yet another penalty and we lived to survive a little longer. But only a few minutes later Ashley Young (by far their best player) hit what I assume was a Konchesky like hopeful cross, and it sailed in over Green’s head. There was nothing he could do about it.
At that stage I thought we were done for, but not a bit of it. We raised our game and battled hard. Everyone contributed, and even those players who were having an average game lifted themselves. Villa never really got into it. I couldn’t understand why Diamanti wasn’t brought on later in the game, but a few minutes before the end Jimenez replaced the increasingly impressive Franco. I can’t tell you anything about the Hines goal because I didn’t see it! But he played very well, causing constant problems. He won the penalty and had three shots which went close.
The central defenders put in a strong performance. Upson and Da Costa looked good together. Indeed, I thought Da Costa had an absolutely superb game. His tackling and heading were excellent, and hsi distribution wasn’t bad, either. On this form he will give James Tomkins a run for his money. I thought it was odd that Tomkins had been dropped, but on this form I can see why Da Costa was given a chance. Faubert was a but like the curate’s egg. Good in parts. His crossing in the first half was woeful, but much better in the second half. He coped as well as anyone could with Ashley Young. There was one brilliant tackle right on the edge of the area. Jonathan Spector replaced Herita Ilunga and did OK, but always looks out of his depth going forward.
In midfield, Scott Parker took control of the game midway through the second half. He had a couple of hopeful long range shots, but also picked up yet another unnecessary booking. Mark Noble had his best game for some time, but his corners were still lacking any pace and any danger. But he ran his socks off and played some great balls through midfield. Behrami was perhaps a bit quieter than usual, but still put in a battling performance. I thought Jack Collison was also slightly off his game, even though he did some great things from time to time.
Up front Carlton Cole was brilliant until he had to go off after about 20 minutes. Guillermo Franco had his best game so far and is fantastic at holding the ball up and playing some very dangerous through balls. He combines well with Cole and I thought he played excellently. Zavon Hines is an excellent prospect. He’s quick, dangerous and a constant threat. Defenders don’t know what to do with him.
All in all, a brilliant night and hopefully the start of our season proper. This victory shoots us up to 16th and we are now unbeaten in three! If we win on Sunday we could go 12th. Heady heights indeed. So, my scores…
Green 7
Faubert 6
Spector 6
Da Costa 8
Upson 7
Noble 7
Parker 7
Collison 6
Behrami 6
Franco 7
Cole 8
Hines 9
The game is getting faster and faster and it means to get a result the boys have to work hard the entire 90 mins. It's tough i'm sure but they proved they can do it. It's a pleasure to watch them improve every week.
I really hope Cole is ok though. Zavon is a star but we need an experienced Cole as well.
Good post Eric. We are improving every week but Carlton Cole is a key player for us. The work-rate last night was second to none and one of the main reasons that we won the game. Martin O'Neil complained that he thought Villa deserved all 3 points but did let slip that his team got tired towards the end. We didn't and carried on for the full 94 minutes. We had the impetus, fitness and desire and were rewarded for it.
Agree mate! Just think back to those pre-season games in China! We were knackered and dead on our feet within 45 mins!
I think that played a big part in the losing of the first few games of the season, the first one against wolves could have gone either way really but we nicked it! We weren't looking convincing though!
Not like we have been for the past few games.
i like da costa, like the way he plays at centre back, give him 7, hines 8, but i read in the newspaper that collison got a 3, dont understand.
3 wins and we will be close to the top 4 you never know?
irons 2-0 toffees, irons 3-1tigers, irons 3-0claret, please dont take the mick out of me guys, just guessing..
Hope Everton get a tough game tonight,not too many injuries!
Matt…agreed, but only when we move into a new 45,000 seater state of the art world beating stadium. Sadly both you and I will be long gone before that happens.
Til then, Royal Upton Park will do me just fine.
yeah, don't get me wrong but if it was ever decided that we needed to change, this is what I would like!
I do a bit of charity work for Cancer (amongst others) and just think it woudl be nice!
I may get some stick for this. Don't get me wrong I'm loving Diamanti and think he is shaping up to be a big player for us but part of me wishes we spent that 5M on Saviola. He is on fire at the moment, not sure if he would have moved to a club without european football but 5M and at only 27 he is the kind of player that could be pushing us up the table.
Everton look poor against Benfica. Is it too much to believe that we could snuffle 9 pts in the next 3 games against Everton, Hull & Burnley?
Nope.
It was GREAT to see Everton lose tonight! Their confidence will be so low! Also they look tired!
And we have some fresh faces to play…….Diamanti, Tomkins etc…:)
9 points though is a big ask! I think 6 is possible frim Evertoin and Hull but I can see a draw against Burnley!
I was travelling for most of the game last night, but was 'fortunate' enough to listen to the commentary on BBC WM (West Midlands) to listen to the commentary you would have thought we were absolutely dire for the first 70 minutes, which doesn't appear to be the case based on comments here and elsewhere. According to the two commentators we looked like a team totally lacking in confidence, destined for relegation, fragile, there for the taking, etc, etc. It was quite funny to listen to the after match phone in, where Villa fans were stunned that they had lost to us, as based on the blatantly biased commentary they had just listened to their team should have won comfortably. So, a great result for us and at last we beat 10 men!
Roll on Sunday, I think it's about time we beat Everton and we will if they play like they have tonight. Benfica were as good, as Everton were poor.
COYI.
There was a 20 minute stretch after Cole went off when we could not hold possession at all and were constantly under attack. Yes, at that moment, if I were a Villa fan, I would have though it would end 1-3.
But the energy in the second half was better, and this time (you know I had been extremely critical of the 11v10 against Fulham & Sunderland) West Ham played 11v10 perfectly to get the late winner…
Shropshire I listened to the commentary on BBC Radio London while watching the game via an Asian stream and they felt that certainly we always had the upper hand in the second half and in fact except for a 10 or 15min period in the first half they talked about how well we played.
I think its a case of a certain bias towards the team from the region where the broadcast is coming from.
It's interesting reading different views on the same game. I travelled from Telford with my kids (returning at 3am – thanks to the road works) and felt we we struggled for the 1st hour. Things seemed to change following the vanilla fan's hand-ball claim midway through the 2nd half. The ref got an ironic cheer for making a rare decision our way. Rob Green's resulting goal kick saw a series of consecutive touches by vanilla players – each touch met with every West Ham fan sarcasticly shouting "handball" – brilliant.
We seemed to grow in confidence. We linked up more effectively, made our passes and looked energised, they looked drained.
Thoughout Parker, Behrami, & Hines impressed. Noble & Collison also played much better. Rob Green was outstanding – the penalty save was crucial (obviously).
When added 4 mins were shown I said to my kids, "it's up to you, shall we leave to beat the rush?" In unison both said "no!". Moments later it's Hines and 2-1, I'm so glad the kids wanted to stay and believed we could win. What a finish – absolutely brilliant. Like so many, today I practically have no voice.
coyi – aj
Nice one AJ, always best to listen to the kids!
I am an exile from East London, based in Wistanstow these days, so I tend to go to more away games than home, but would have loved to have been there on Wednesday, so just a tad envious!
Shropshire – I would sum up the game as follows:
1st 15 minutes – West Ham
15-43 – Villa
43-45 – West Ham xD
46-60 end to end
60 – 94 West Ham
Cheers Devo. Must admit I had never tuned into BBC WM before, but needs must. At least I got to listen to most of the game, even if it meant shouting at the commentators every now and again.
Hi Devo,
I really think it's possible. Everton are just not firing at the moment, Hull are totally lacking in confidence and are a poor team anyway, whilst Burnley, away from Turf Moor, cannot score and concede a bucket full, so why not?
The league table would certainly look a lot different if we could pick up these 9 points, but I won't be greedy, I 'll settle for 7.
We pummelled them in the 2nd half. Their backs were against the wall and they knew it.
yes – they edged the first half but – let's face it – this game's about taking your chances and they didn't.
I play a lot of darts and if you don't hit your doubles it's no good scoring 180 after 180. It's goals that win games and not pressure.
I'm confused, is it doubles we need to score? Or 180's? Or…….do you need to score goals after your 180 and 180? Oh I don't know! lol
We can't have pummelled them in the second half because Martin O'neill said that Villa were the better team and deserved to win! LMAO!
Anybody noticed the common denominator in our 2 victories this year?? Noble has scored 1st in both………….crikey, no wonder Zola keeps playing him, we cant win otherwise……LOL
Everton did not play all that well and frankly they may be saving it for the Hammers they always seem to get a result against us.Hull away Burnley at home 3 wins would put us right there.
You underestimate Burnley!
We will murder Burnley, Matt murder em, they are back down to fizzy pop league and will be found out they have like Hull no matchwinners or class they are bad!
HELP PLEASE.
Does anybody know in advance of a likely free stream for the game against Everton. No coverage on tv in NZ and with kick off 4 a.m our time im happy to get if i can be sure i will get a feed.
All suggestions welcome…..both wins this season i have seen live so some incentive for you to help secure another vistory….LOL
Try this link Kiwi.
http://www.myp2p.eu/competition.php?&competit…
Good luck.
ha, looks like there might be a job as a proof reader for me as well.
"Happy to get UP" and "viCtory"
Kiwi what about foxsports?
Have just discovered there is going to be delayed coverage on tv here……will mean i have to get through the morning without hearing the result, but confident i can do that…thanks for the reply