In the brief few minutes during which West Ham led in a hectic first half, two friends sent me a screenshot of the ‘live league table’ which showed West Ham at number one slot at the top of the Championship after Bowen’s clinical finish put the Hammers ahead.
Tempting fate? Of course. As it was, within twenty minutes the Hammers were two-one down thanks to a deflection and a soft penalty concession showing the downside of not having VAR.
Five minutes later and Mavropanos ran onto a perfect Arne Engels free kick and parity had been restored. “A Gloriously chaotic evening in the Championship” as it was described by Sky showed no signs of slacking, but the home crowd were certainly a little subdued seeing their lead disappear so fast.
A brief five minute spell on top of the league ended when Bolton equalised – and then took the lead
End to end stuff with chances at both ends made it a riveting watch, West Ham looking vulnerable down the right with Walker Peters struggling to contend with his opposite number.
Next ‘ live league table’ screenshot appeared on my phone at half time: From eighth, up to first and down to tenth inside one half. A crazy league.
The tempo stayed high in the second half, the chances came and went, West Hams four substitutions offered renewed pace and Pirou came closest, volleying over from 5 yards along with a rasping Kanté shot well saved.
Bowen’s second, rolled in off the bottom of his boot, sneaked past the keeper somehow on 77 minutes, restoring West Ham’s lead of both the game and the division: Could they hold both for the remaining thirteen-plus minutes? Nuno evidently thought so, turning to his newest defender Morata in place of Scarles to help see the game out.
Indeed, the strength of West Ham’s substitutes tipped the scales, the pace of Solomon and the solidity of Veltman making a definite difference. Four added minutes safely navigated and yes, thanks, fellas for the screenshots once again, West Ham finished the night top of the Championship. In case I didn’t mention it.
I had a suspicion that this would be a very close game- it is rare that we do ourselves a favour in important games like this.
That being said, I appreciate that we kept on the front front. But…
My observations-
Defense still needs a lot of work.
Kilman actually did well. However, defensive errors from KWP and Dino gave Bolton a 2-1 lead.
Also, the entire first half, it was clear to see how slow we are as a team. Bolton ran rings around us.
Lastly, I realise that he scored a brace, but Bowen is starting to remind me of Kevin Nolan…. a half yard off pace and always first on the team sheet.
Happy for the 3 points!
COYI ⚒️⚒️⚒️
Another massive 3 points tonight , out score your opponents that’s all you need to do in this league ,
Of course loads of games to come & many twists & turns to follow but we’re in a good position now & just need to build on that week in week out ,
Worry about the premiership when we get there ⚒️
You’d have to look at the table to find out whose top and whose bottom.
Whu passsing was absolutely terrible.
Suggestion Bowen could be rested when score line showed 0-3 on that performance be a long time to wait.
Southampton did their job with ease can’t say same about whu.
Don’t hold out much promise against Wrexham unless there’s a marked improvement.
Football gods were on whu side but they won’t always be.
Pablo still waiting for his goal and Nuno actually showed frustration.
I said we’d win by a one goal margin before the off, but I didn’t think 3-2.
We’re winning but it doesn’t look like with a lot of quality, I guess doesn’t matter until it does. I have a feeling that we wouldn’t be getting very far in the premier league.