An unchanged West Ham eleven showed Nuno was planning to start on the front foot: Just the two midfielders would be the concern with Pablo and Taty starting at the front: In the Wolves first half, Fernandes and Soucek did at times get outnumbered so hopefully the Hammers’ supremo has issued instruction to avoid that scenario again against a more potent Crystal Palace side.
Full marks for intent then, Nuno, two up front and a high press will be the aim. A first half in which the Hammers were completely dominant with several shots blocked and saved compared with zero for ‘Palace – finished with Alan Smith claiming on Sky that “this game was here for the taking” for Nuno’s men.
Pablo and Taty look better each time the play together, justifying Nuno’s faith in the pair. Hopefully more of the same in the second half but surely Crystal Palace would change things up – unlike Nuno who would certainly be the happier at half time.
Almost, but not quite – Mavropanos ‘well saved effort summed up West Ham’s night.
Palace’s triple change came at 58 with Sarr, Mateta and Kamada signalled a more offensive move for the Eagles – Would Nuno respond? You sensed that the front duo were tiring and Bowen was being outrun by Canvot. 73 minutes and Callum Wilson came on for a knackered-looking Pablo, as expected, with Nuno looking for a goal.
Distinctly flat at 77 minutes, West Ham were crying out for a spark. Surely time for a refresh with Summerville and Bowen drawing a blank this evening. The warning came when Palace had a goal chalked off for hand ball: back to nil-nil but West Ham were looking second best.
Enter midfielder Mohamadou Kanté on 84’to replace Castellanos: Shoring up the midfield, perhaps, or playing for a point. At this point it occurred to me how much West Ham could do with a Callum Marshall-type youngster to come on and put in ten minutes of high energetic pressing : Nobody on Nuno’s bench to suit that role.
+4 minutes and West Ham have to settle for a point: Nuno’s selection and tactics pretty much as expected but no goals means the Hammers boss gets a six this week: Sky’s commentator suggested that point ‘suited West Ham just fine” – I’d disagree. Should have won that in the first ’45.