West Ham have gone top four in the Premier League live table at half time with another 45 minutes left to play.
There were no surprises when David Moyes just one change in the team that beat Sam Allardyce’s West Bromwich Albion with Pablo Fornals replacing Manuel Lanzini. Wilf Zaha’s early strike put the Eagles on top, but Tomas Soucek quickly levelled with a header from Michail Antonio’s cross, then put his side ahead by converting Aaron Cresswell’s free-kick from an acute angle.
Antonio then hit the same post twice as the Hammers threatened to take total control to make it 2-1 at half time.
Crystal Palace were not at the races in the first half but as the old saying goes it is always a game of two halves.
Hopefully, we can confirm that fourth-place position on 35 points at full time and not regret the missed chances when we hit the post twice.
Spoiler alert. Brilliant performance. Absolutely ace. Not long ago and we’re 0:1 after two minutes, we crawl into a shell and don’t come out of it. None of that tonight. We were the best team and played with belief – everyone. Could have been more goals for us but we scored more than Palace. That’s what counts. Very enjoyable game to watch all the way through.
TV downsides were the adverts for other games and telling us about the other live game. Absorbing game – bit like watching a good film. Can do without the irrelevant interruptions. Also Karen Carney? Why is she the expert help on commentary? Couldn’t spoil this too much for me – volume low. Everything anyone does is not quite right. Should have passed. Should have scored. Should have passed much better. Should have saved that. Depressing remarks all the way through every game she watches. Enough gloom in my life without Karen pointing out the obvious – I am watching. After Antonio was substituted, she mentioned that we desperately need a centre forward in the Antonio mould as back up just in case he can’t play every game. ‘Yarmolenko has replaced him but he’s a different type’. What nonsense has she been reading? If we had two Michail Antonios, they would both be playing and they would be ‘clever’ enough not to be competing with each other for a position. They would play wherever and do whatever seemed to be best for a good outcome from the game. These players aren’t chess pieces, Karen.
Only talk of finishing the league in 7th hoping for European football. Not a mention of winning the Premier League. We might not – but we can dream. Keep playing like tonight and I don’t care where we finish – just enjoying the ride.
COYI
Karen Carney, isn’t she the mascot for Leeds United?
You’re thinking of her sister Chilly Con. A much brighter soul.