NOTE FROM ZAMAN: I am writing a rather short post tonight to cover for David Hautzig, who will post tomorrow. He made a journey across the pond to watch this match, so it’s the least I can do for him.
I can guarantee posting a short piece before midnight to cover for him, but guaranteeing three points is a bit of a stretch, let alone one. This season, we beat Chelsea in the EFL Cup on my birthday, so I had a slight inkling that we could do the double over them with David’s arrival. It would have made for a nice anecdote as well for the speedy match reviewers with two superb wins – each with huge significance. But in typical Hammers fashion, fortune’s always hiding.
We have conceded at least a goal within the opening half hour of our previous six Premier League matches. Given that Chelsea had drawn their last two away matches, we should have pounced. This was a golden opportunity to show that we are likely to get back-to-back top half finishes, but it wasn’t to be. Top 10 is still on, but I worry against such opposition, given that Tottenham and Liverpool are two of our last three fixtures this season.
Looking back at that first goal, Snodgrass should have crossed in from that position. With Byram subbed on for Reid, it is safe to assume that Slav will put him back into the starting XI. Slav learnt that Antonio wasn’t meant to be RB in the reverse fixture back in August, so I sincerely hope that the gaffer goes with the reverse option opting for Byram.
The second goal came from a corner in which Costa tapped in from close distance with Reid not marking him and miscommunication at the front post between Carroll and Obiang. We were 2-0 having failed to get a single attempt on target! This practically summed us up. We didn’t any attempts on target when we had the chance, In the first half, there was an attempt which Lanzini failed to hit the target… under no pressure from the Chelsea players. I was expecting him to test Courtois, but he completely mishit it. He was undoubtedly the best player on the pitch, but should have finished off that delightful run with the finish to boot.
Ayew has a goal and an assist off the bench in his last two matches. That is why I strongly believe that he should start over Snodgrass against Bournemouth. He lost the ball on far too many occasions and didn’t play particularly well in the previous match either. He also had plenty of opportunities to cross from the flanks when he couldn’t swing it in. It was astonishing to watch. I bet the last order batsmen in a cricket team could swing more than him – unbelievable! Oh, and Antonio in for Feghouli, as he backtracks more than him.
West Ham hugely flattered by that score line. Woeful, one dimensional performance with basic errors all over the pitch ????
— Dan Silver (@dansilver_) March 6, 2017
I couldn’t have promised David three points, but a goal from Lanzini – yes. Lanzini has scored in eight of his dozen PL London derby appearances with eight goals. It took a while, but the Jewel sparkled. There was a glimmer (see what I did there?) of hope at the end, but it wasn’t to be. You have to say that a 2-1 defeat is a much more flattering scoreline than our performance suggested.