Lanzini lights up nervy Hammers win
West Ham beat Crystal Palace 3-2 in one of the most entertaining games of the season on New Year’s Day, with the undoubted highlight being Manuel Lanzini’s extraordinary goal.
The Argentine scored the second goal of the game at Selhurst Park with a truly remarkable finish; Declan Rice had surged through the middle of the pitch and passed to Lanzini but the ball bobbled, so Lanzini juggled it before smacking an effort off the underside of the bar and into the back of the net.
It was a goal that brought to mind that sensational Tony Yeboah effort for Leeds back in the early days of the Premier League and it was in keeping with a truly exceptional game of football that zigged and zagged this way and that.
Palace had a number of chances throughout the game and, while they went into half-time 3-0 down, they could well have been level at 3-3, such was their abundance of opportunities.
They did manage to hit back in the second half and there was some real anxiety amongst the Hammers defence late on, as Palace pushed and pushed to find a way back into the game. Ultimately, three points were just about secured.
Jeffrey Schlupp, indeed, hit the post after less than 30 seconds, while Odsonne Edouard hit the bar later in the half.
Lukasz Fabianski was busy but it was Mikey Antonio who opened the scoring after 22 minutes. Said Benrahma, playing in his last game for the Hammers before the Africa Cup of Nations, lasered a pinpoint cross into the box and Antonio managed to prod the ball beyond Vicente Guaita.
Lanzini then produced his moment of magic and it was 3-0 before the whistle went for half-time.
It came about in faintly farcical circumstances as Luka Milivojevic handled the ball under barely any pressure in the penalty area, and the referee went to the VAR screen before pointing to the spot. Lanzini stepped up and tucked it away.
The second half was a more subdued affair than the first, with the Hammers more than happy to challenge Palace to break them down.
Edouard did manage to finally finish a chance in the 82nd minute, lunging to finish a cross from the right flank.
Right as the clock ticked over to 90 minutes, Palace were given a free-kick on the edge of the box and Michael Olise curled the ball straight into the far corner, setting up a grandstand finish.
With four minutes added on, Palace continually smashed the ball forward and Jean-Philippe Mateta sent an overhead kick just wide in the 93rd minute, as the Hammers just about saw it out.
Wipe away the sweat!