Nobes …scored from the spot
West Ham completely forgot that they are a big team and need to play like one …well for the second 45 minutes anyway!
And sadly it that half which will be remembered despite them playing so well in the first half and going in with a lead via Mark Noble’s spot kick.
We had traded blows with Palace and come out on top despite requiring a couple of heroic moments from Fabianski who pulled out two great saves.
And although the hosts created the better chances we had more than our share of things and looked likely to go one better than we’d managed against Liverpool.
But the second period saw the Eagles attacking us almost at will and all the old frailties showed up notably when what appeared to be some less than average defending allowed Wilfried Zaha to lift in a close range goal.
That was the prelude to some non stop Palace attacking with sub Batshuayi driving narrowly wide as we found ourselves under siege.
It was heart in the mouth stuff and the relief at the final whistle was palpable although in reality the point saw us move into 10th place on 33 points.
Truth of it is we need fresh legs as a lot has been asked of the 15 or so who have been available and with a break until the 22n the Hammers will hope to have Lanzini and Nasri back to provide some much needed creativity. There’s chances too Balbuena could be back.
The match today marked the return of Marko Arnautovic but it would be wrong to judge him on this game when he received so little service.
Anderson had a brilliant first half and Rice had the usual fine 90. Cresswell is looking bang back to his best and in that first 45 there was not a poor player on the pitch for us.
But as is our way we were all put through the wringer in the second and we can be thankful that no more damage was done than the deserved equaliser.
But we were lucky – of that there’s no doubt.
True we were holding on in the second half but we could and should have been 2 up before they equalised.
We should also have been playing against ten as their skipper should’ve got a second yellow, Craig Pawson you’re very poor son.
Against Fulham we might have Nasri and Lanzini available of Nasri here is a clip from the City goal they consider the finest against Chelski https://www.mancity.com/citytv/goals/gotd/2019/february/man-city-samir-nasri-gotd-v-chelsea-2012
Yes tiredness may be a key factor. I don’t think there is much between the clubs from 7th to 18th, as in most recent seasons We are more like halfway up that group rather than in the bottom half of it as in the last two seasons. So results seem all over the place. Bournemouth hammer Chelsea & beat us then get a couple of beatings themselves. We are doubled by Bournemouth & Wolves but beat Arsenal. Leicester look brilliant one day then rubbish the next. We may be a big club ( however that is defined) but we are still some way off being a top team.
Like I said after the Liverpool game consistency and lucky to get a draw…exactly why I didn’t get excited after Liverpool 2 steps forward 1 step back
It’s hard to be consistent when your squad is decimated by injuries all season.Its a transitional season with new players and manager and I expect it to be quite different next season with an all new forward line and better luck on injuries.
Really thought we would turn up big time for this game .. but , as usual it wasn’t to be .
Anautovic ,,, forget him .
Should have used Carroll .
Disappointing and true to form .