Fornals enjoyed his best game in claret and blue
By Hughie Southon
That was as good a Hammers performance as I can remember seeing even allowing for some highly noteworthy displays this season.
That it was our sixth in on the trot and saw us climb into the hallowed reaches of the top four was entirely appropriate – we were brilliant.
No wasted passes, no losing possession and despite two goals against, a fine defensive display and some brilliance in midfield and up front – it really was magnificent.
Tomas Soucek with two goals and the most commanding of midfield displays was clear man of the match but there were other highlights.
We watched Said Benrahma growing up as a Premier League player and showing the skills we were promised when he joined us.
Vladimir Coufal, Declan Rice, Oggy, Dawson and Cresswell were superb whilst Fornals produced his best performance in claret and blue yet and the incredible Mikey Antonio was so unlucky to be denied a couple of goals at least,
You can’t really leave anyone out – it was a magnificent team performance and if this what happens when you appoint a man considered defensive in nature and make some bargain buys like Couval, Dawson, Soucek and Bowen can we have some more please?
It was a joy to watch and will be one of those games that lives in the memory of what’s become a seriously memorable season.
Spot on Hugh. The energy of the team is fantastic. Big performance against Liverpool this weekend and a result may get a few eyebrows raising. Moyes is doing a great job, but I believe the whole coaching staff deserve massive credit. Happy Days
Great article Hugh, best I’ve seen us play all season. Special praise for Benrahma who I thought was fantastic tonight. As well as the rest of the lads. Super performance, especially after going 1-0 down.
Yes very good performance, the two goals they scored are a concern but we were very good Antonio could have scored four with a bit of luck. It’s the first time I can remember when we had a chance to win an important game that would push us into the top positions that we took it. We played with ambition instead of choking, like previous versions of our team have. Very good signs, well done Moyes and team COYI!!!
Agree 32, under Pellegrini time and again we “went 7th or 6th if we win” and lost our bottle. I must admit I thought tonight would be a he to far but they truly delivered.
Well played whu
Excellent team performance, with several candidates for MOTM. Just a shame about the first two minutes and last minute, lol.
Jason Cunday on talksport,thinks Dec and Souey is the best midfield partnership in the prem.Fornals with the pass of the season has blown the pundits away,there was so much to take from this game and like David Moyes stated,they did it with a few gears to spare.Class act.
Surely we need to get pen to paper for Dawson and Benrahma this week?
So true Hugh. That last second goal hurt but what a team performance! Everyone played well, Dawson another goal, I was one who wanted excited about his signing but though smart loan with cheap option. Now £2m seems like a bargain & considering Balbuena is behind him I’d give them both 2 year deals let them help the youth hopefully Baptiste or Alese & Alves make it. Dawson is just good old school CB but Balbuena is rounded good passer & low wages not bad 3rd choice & is happy here be hard to find a player for £4m on less £50k happy to fight his way in. So CBs we look set now. Don’t now why linked with Deluta-Car. Cresswell most assists with Robertson, Coufal solid Oggy a rock as always. Fabianski made a key save. Antonio he makes such a difference hae he’d didn’t score. Can tall how happy Fornalo is to have him back showing his vision for first goal to linkup up with Antonio then Souček his runs into the box timed so well. What a move touch & finish too 10 goals now on 34 games not bad at all beats most our strikers. Antonio 20 goal involvements in 24 games 🔥
*Rice was immense as always, I really think him & Souček are one of if not best mid pairing in PL. Our priority should be giving Rice & Souček a new deal. Rice still getting links, Souček shad Bayern link & more will come with his all around game & goals. So let’s not pay £120k for a mercenary let’s reward our players who have proven themselves. Rice & Souček is a mid pairing we can build on for years will help young CBs coming In too. I’ll be buzzing all week from this game! COYI
Great article, Great Comments, Fantastic Performance…
It’s hard to point out everything about the performance from all of the players but this is West Ham on Steroids right now.
To define what has happened to this club, you have only one person to look at and that is David Moyes.
Moyes needs to be given a long term contract (Hint hint GSB) to give this club a foundation which it has been crying out for, for years (Not to mention tying Rice and Soucek to long term deals). From top to bottom, this club needs to be shaped and moulded and a level of professionalism Needs to sweep through this club, from scouting and recruitment through to the progression of youngsters from the academy through to the first team. This is the time to do it and it should be put in the hands of the capable My David Moyes to take this club forward.
My dreams aren’t fading at all right now… COYI
Spot on the money, Hugh. What a joy to watch our team!! If there was a trophy for a management team, give it to Moyes, Irvine, Nolan and Pearce.
Fantastic…loving it …just get a forward now ..coyi