Image via www.whufc.com
Two hundred Hammers games up Aaron Cresswell set up a classic winning header from Oggy after watching what he described as the Hammers game plan going out of the window after three minutes.
But the Hammers fought back superbly to grab only their second ever win a Lleeds – and our second of the season in Yorkshire after the Sheffield United victory.
Cress is looking so confident and taking immediate charge of set piece situations and it was perfect that he should provide such a classic assist for the winner.
It wasn’t so long ago that many of us were calling for him to be moved on – football makes mugs of us all…the bloke looks diamond.
He was returned to his normal left back position in the 4-4-1-1 formation and looked as impressive as he had become in the five at the back set up.
And after the game tonight (Fri) he was the first one in front of the Sky Sports cameras explaining exactly what the victory meant as we WENT FIFTH IN THE PREMIER LEAGU!
He said: “I think if you look at it, it was similar to the Manchester United game with the chances we created. We had more than four or five – you could say clear-cut – chances, but we couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net.
“We know what Leeds are all about – they never stop, they really graft and run all over the pitch – but credit to the lads, we stuck together and got the three points that we wanted.
“I think it [our gameplan] went out of the window after two minutes when they got the penalty, but these things happen. As long as we didn’t lose our heads and give away another goal…
“[In the second half] it was just about not giving up and keeping going. Credit to the lads, we stuck with it and got the three points.”
With both West Ham goals stemming from set-pieces, Cresswell took the opportunity after the game to praise first-team coaches Paul Nevin and Kevin Nolan for their meticulous preparation of the players for such opportunities.
Cresswell also hailed teammate Ogbonna for the thumping header which ultimately sealed the result.
“Set-pieces are massive,” he confirmed. “We’ve got Paul [Nevin] and Kevin Nolan who take a real shine to it and really sit down and work it out. Credit to them.
“You look at our set-pieces – not only the first contact, but the second phase, like when Tomáš gets to the second balls… it’s a massive part of our game and it’s worked again tonight.
“[For the winner] Angelo stepped up again. Lucky for me, I put a good ball in and he’s got on the end of it and put one in for me!”
He added: “We’ve just got to keep looking forward to the next game and not get too far ahead of ourselves.
“We looked at the fixtures at the start of the season, lots of them against the top seven teams, and we knew it was going to be a tough start.
“We’ve done really well with it and we’re not getting complacent. 12 games in, it’s still early – let’s just see where we can go.”
Leeds are renowned for their fitness, and yet we ran them ragged. Very telling. Someone is doing things right.
Cresswell was class & so happy hot an assist was hoping for a FK screamer. Showing he can still do it at LB – we can defend In back 4. It’s good to know we can adapt with injuries if we need too. But injury at CM worries me the most.
But I don’t hear anyone coming out hating on Cresswell now! 200 ⚒
So pleased for Cresswell. Has a wonderful left foot. His crosses are suburb. Also Coufal is underrated. Defends well, gets forward and also provides a good delivery. The whole team is playing so well, but with one exception. Haller is having a hard time. So with everyone at the club doing an incredible job, let us supporters step up to the plate and instead of giving him stick. Let’s all get behind him and give him our support. His got it in him. His lacking confidence but has the ability and could be a real beast.