A warm, sultry night in East London saw Julen Lopetegui celebrate his 58th birthday with a scrappy win over Bournemouth.
It was a steady start for both sides for the first thirty minutes or so, with very little action in either penalty area, but some nice interplay in the middle third of the pitch particularly from Todibo and AWB.
Bournemouth were looking the more likely to score with Sinisterra looking sharp.
The biggest event in an underwhelming first half was probably the yellow card for Todibo for a cheeky trip on Jebbison.
Although the Irons came to life in the last five minutes or so with a couple of chances, but things were not really clicking despite nearly 60% possession.
A scrappy first half
The second half kicked off with West Ham replacing Todibo, who had been booked, with Dinos Mavropanos. The Greek has looked good in the opening two Premier League matches playing alongside Kilman.
We then saw why we bought Summerville , when he picked the ball up, dropped his shoulder, created a yard of space and then curled his shot narrowly wide of the right-hand post.
The best chance of the game so far.
Bournemouth then had a couple of chances themselves with the Irons creating their own issues, because playing out from the back does come with risks attached.
On the hour mark Alvarez was hooked for Rodriguez, presumably not to over extend him , he did play an hour though. Paqueta then came on for the anonymous Ward- Prowse
Bournemouth were continuing to press and Ouattara skipped past a static Coufal and crossed dangerously. Kilman was there to clear superbly. Our new centre-back has had a great game once again.
It tells you something about the game, when perhaps the loudest cheer of the night was when Kudus came on for Fullkrug. Bowen then moved up front, with Kudus on the right wing
With five minutes to go, Bowen collected the ball from Mavropanos, then cut inside and shoots left-footed. Neto dived to his right and pushed the ball away.
Decent shot, decent save.
Just when it looked like we were heading for penalties, the deadlock was broken.
Bowen and Paqueta exchanged passes, Hill tried to clear, the ball spins to Kudus and his shot cannoned past Neto off Bowen!
Not the prettiest of goals, but they all count
Incidentally, that was Jarrod’s fourth goal in seven EFL Cup appearances for the Hammers.
It’s been a poor game, and that type of goal was befitting of it.
At least we are still in the hat for the next round!
Not the best performance, and that goal would almost certainly have been chalked off by VAR but a win is a win in the cup and we’re through to the next round. Maybe it’s our year…
Didn’t Wilson score a handball goal for Bournemouth and laugh in the interview and said something like it was magic. Karma
Apart from increased possession, I am really struggling to see any real progress in terms of progressive football, from what we witnessed under Moyes. Hopefully time will improve things but with the exception of WB, the new boys were underwhelming.
Played like they are on experimental ground.
Perhaps to be expected with multiple changes.
Next match defence will have to be on its toes.
This could go on for at least 2 weeks after transfer season shuts maybe even longer.
Although funds are negligible, 2 days to go, still linked to following players.
Reiss Nelson, Richard Rios, Oxlade Chamberlain, Jhon Duran, Tammy Abraham, Nathan Zege.
Are these the TRUTH or a LIE?
Transfer period can’t shut soon enough.
We were very lucky tonight, we really need to get out of this Moyes style of sitting deep and absorbing pressure for most of the game, the team need to remember he’s not in charge anymore. About the only player I can give real credit to was Kilman, he’s really made a great start for us.