Hammers 1 Swansea 0
‘Bad Boy’ Diafra Sakho came good at the London Stadium and and may just have saved Slaven Bilic’s job at the same time.
Many are still refusing to forgive the Hammers striker following his summer theatricals in France but his attitude has been exemplary since his return and his last minute goal from a magnificent Arthur Masuaku cross was bang on the money.
‘Sak followed Arthur’s run down the left and when an inch perfect cross came in he was in the perfect spot to convert from close in.
Until then this had been one of the worst performances anyone could ever expect to see from a Hammers side bereft of ideas, imagination, pace, power, passing or anything else until the second half introduction of Manu Lanzini.
The little Argentine – despite clearly not being match fit – showed flashes of everything we have been missing these opening weeks of the season.
But beyond that, this was dreadful and at £20m Andre Ayew was the worst player on view . How the hell any manager can put him on the pitch ahead of Sakho – or anybody come to that – is a mystery known only to Bilic.
We were awful but I make an exception in Pablo Zabaleta who once again showed himself to be an ultimate professional and Antonio worked hard although didn’t look entirely fit.
Swansea dominated possession for much of the game and did nothing with it but it took Masuaku – on in front of Cresswell as he was against Spurs last week – who conjured up the run and cross for Sak’s goal.
At the end of it all the three points covers a multitude of sins but most will be carrying exactly the same doubts about this manager in their heads after the game than they were before.
Ironic isn’t it!?
I’ll give Antonio the benefit of the doubt. He wasn’t fit and should never have played. Good finish from Sakho.
Right about Ayew. I lost my patience with him long ago; he was a non-event. Yes we were bad, but at least the subs all came good.
I will forgive Sakho if he does it for the rest of the season and then signs a new contract ( highly unlikely ). Perfect goal from a perfect cross. Never a defender, but becoming a very good attacking midfielder, Masuaku has found his true identity. It might be a bit early, but people should not compare him to Cresswell, but rather with Ayew and Arnie. For me he replaces Ayew as competition with Arnie.
I also thought Zabaleta was his usual consistent reliable self. He brings stability when others around him are flailing. A top free transfer.
He worked hard and had more appetite for 50/50 balls than the others.
I am reluctant to judge Ayew under Bilic most players seem to play better in teams he isn’t managing, I hope he is gone, I will wish him well but enough is enough he is not good enough for the players he is managing.
A simply awful display. Noble wasn’t the worst altho he shouldn’t wear the 1st team shirt again. Hart is a complete waste of money. How he and Cresswell have been selected for England is an indictment of Southgate. Cresswell’s passing and crossing were just dreadful today. Masuaku has proved again that he deserves to start and Sakho must be rehabilitated with Ayew warming the bench at best.
Why is Bilic still in charge? His team selection is unintelligible and his tactics against pathetic opponents unbelievable.
There is definitely something seriously wrong at West Ham if we play like that in a game we have to win . A last gasp goal saved the day . Now Bilic will probably get an extended lease of life as manager . Surely the writing is on the wall . The players just don’t seem motivated for whatever reason and team selection is unfathonable . We were very fortunate to get the points when you consider we had more than 90mins to get them .