West Ham started the second half with a tale of two corners: Crystal Palace‘s first attack of the second half led to a header crashing off the bar almost putting them tw0- nil down, then going down the other end and Bowen heading in Diouf’s in swinger to equalise. West Ham somewhat surprisingly back in the game after 49 minutes. And they have stopped the ‘cascade’ of goals going in after going behind. Just.
Suddenly it was a different game: Even Ward-Prowse responding to the ‘shooooooot’ from the crowd and having a shot deflected. West Ham -for now at least- back in the game. Good to see a fit-again Fullkrug striding on at 60 minutes for a weary Wilson.
Immediately the German challenged at the far post with Henderson who stayed down: West Ham were stringing good football together, and again without wishing to tempt fate, not looking like a side in 18th spot: Fullkrug winning the knock downs, shots going in, West Ham in the ascendency.
And then an ‘astonishing’ goal for Palace with a hooked volley from their full back on his wrong foot, launched for the edge of the six yard box: No chance for Areola to that ‘swinger’. Against the run of play and Hammers behind again on 70 minutes: Crystal Palace just two shots on target, and two goals. That is disappointing, the Hammers playing the better football throughout this half and being undone by a ‘sucker punch’.
Summerville took a bad challenge shortly after after a long mazy run: West Ham fans crossed their fingers as he limped off but then reappeared. The Hammers’ discipline looked to be close to going, Bowen then Paquetá in the book.
Strange decision to take off Fernandes and Summerville – boos from the crowd as Magassa and Guilherme entered. “Sacked in the morning” ringing out. Another Tony Gale comment “Surprised that Magassa didn’t start, to be honest”. Quite.
The familiar sight of empty seats at eighty minutes as fans start to drift away, the home fans evidently not having confidence of a late Hammers’ revival. This one will be tough to take, the home side actually competing well for large parts of the game. Crystal Palace now unbeaten at London stadium since 2018.
Seven minutes of stoppage time passes. Another home loss. In isolation, not as poor as in previous weeks. Still the same end result and the ‘boos’ rang out once again. Everton next with David Moyes and all. But who will be at the helm?
Another sad performance. By the time Crystal scored the first, Crystal already totaled 6 attempts, West Ham only one. Virtually no attack except during some minutes in the second half, after Bowen’s 1-1. A midfield with little clarity, and in general a team with poor passing and only a limited will to fight for a better outcome. Although Areola was an improvement over Hermansen, the defense still was in trouble with each set piece. Sadly, a still clueless Potter.
The longer they wait the worse it will be, simple as. That’s all I’ve got to say
Not sure I’d call it a sucker punch – it came as a result of Mav heading the ball up in the air instead of away, reinforcing the fact that our CBs are not up to PL standard…
Now the owners have to sign a decent manager or we will probably be relegated.
And even a good manager will need time to sort out this mess and bring in a few younger players. Will the cash be available in January?
Sugar coating it somewhat there. Potter is not going to turn it around. He needs replacing now
Well it wasn’t an embarrassment like Tottenham and Chelsea but it speaks volumes that I’m talking in terms of embarrassments. Another home defeat, more not good enough, was Lady Brady waiting in the tunnel with his P45 ?
Dont know how many times I have to say this Kilman weak in challenge for palace first goal He has to go
I’ve been saying all week, Kilman out Igor Julio in. We’re told he’s training well so what’s the excuse…
Two words Potter out.
Certainly not Potter Martin. Hopefully Nuno.