Ten man Hammers show all their courage

By Hugh Southon

Villa 0 Irons 0

The Hammers drew on all their reserves of courage and character as they battled for 23 minutes with 10 men after being hit by the Mike Dean factor.

The card-happy official decided that Arthur Masuaku had to go for a second yellow but TV replays showed it to be a harsh decision for the coming together with Elmohamady.

In days gone by that would have been all too much but tonight the Hammers used the setback to launch themselves forward and with Haller holding things up so well up top we came away with a deserved point

Sadly it meant the third place which was available at the start went begging and instead we lifted ourselves into eighth place from ninth – one of six teams on eight points.

The game really never caught fire and there is no doubt the Irons were the classier of the two outfits although nobody could fault Villa’s energy and enthusiasm.

The Hammers will have been happy to have kept another clean sheet and Issa Diop made some brilliant interventions and tackles to win my personal man of the match award.

Manu Lanzini was constantly on the move but after bright starts Anderson and Yarmolenko disappointed and were finally subbed.

But much praise has to go to Lukasz Fabianski would made one brilliant punched clearance and an outstanding save from John McGinn right on half time.

But at the end of it all you are left with the impression that we are watching a very different West Ham United – one which can combine skill and panache with character and courage.

COYI