Issa Diop’s brilliant equaliser against AFC Wimbledon – which became the focal point for an eventual 3-1 victory – demonstrated perfectly the highs and lows of the game.
For on Saturday the young Frenchman sadly conceded a debut day own goal which finished us off against Arsenal.
He was much more composed after last night’s game as he celebrated his impact on a game which for long periods had become hard work.
He said: “I received the ball and I shot, so I’m happy for the team. It wasn’t my best goal, as I think I scored a better one for Toulouse with a volley!
“It was very hard for us to score a goal because they defended very well. We tried and we tried and we tried and thankfully we scored.”
And he added:“It’s good for our confidence because we lost our first three games, so now we’re focused on Saturday and Wolverhampton and I hope we win this game.
“I hope I can score again, but I prefer it when we win and I don’t score. Actually, I hope I score and we win, as that’s better!”
“I hope we can continue winning our games and we can win this competition!”
fabianski zab balbuena diop cress
sanchez rice
anderson yarmolenko snoddy
arnie subs: adrian, fredericks, oggy, masuaku, wilshire, antonio, holland
I am delighted for the young man . He looks like footballer and can only get better as he gets more confident . Could turn out the by of the season . Perfect reply to a shaky , but very unlucky , debut on Saturday .
Yes bubbles . We are slowly improving . But it is worth remembering that this match was a very bananer skin game . Playing lower league opponents is always a tricky buisness and the Premiership is littered with surprises and shock defeats . I won’t say the ref helped becuase when Wimbledon went down to ten men it was like playing against eleven defenders in a solid brick wall . The game against Wolves however will be different in respect of defensive tactics . I fully expect West Ham to be very much on the offensive .
We must go for all three points win or lose . Rice must keep his place for sure . I think Wolves will have Thier hands full on Saturday if we can reproduce the attitude we showed against AFC Wimbledon .
COYHAMMERS
It was a huge and much needed confidence booster for the fans , Pelligrini and the players .
Snodgrass impressed , Anderson looked sharp and chicarito was pulling the Wimbledon defense all over the place . Yarmolenko needs more playing time . Rice was in control and when Antonio came on he made an immediate impact . Overall ( apart from Perez ) we looked good . Hope it bodes well for the Wolves game .