West Ham United looked fully in control of a game which they struggled to kill off despite a first half dominance of 11 shots to one and a solitary Joel Piroe goal.
West Ham’s simple goal, when it came after just six minutes was via Joel Piroe after Taty headed back across the six yard box from a Bowen cross and it looked as if the floodgates would open.
In the first half, Divine Mukasa and Arne Engels looked in control of the midfield, both combining simple passing with combative tackling in the early stages as Derby contented themselves with a low block and trying to keep the score within reach until, presumably, they would try and grab a goal in the last 15 minutes.
Engels cost West Ham £22m and is improving game by game
However the Hammers were guilty of reverting to ‘strolling’ mode with reduced urgency, meaning that they failed to add to their solitary goal as the belief flooded back into their opponents and the vocal support along with it from their own supporters who’d been largely silent for the first hour.
Experience told us that the closer the game got to the end, the more fragile West Ham would become with just a one goal advantage despite looking dominant in all departments and Derby’s XG sitting at 0.02, for those that understand these things.
Orford came on for Taty on the hour and the Hammers stirred themselves in the search for a second. Indeed when Mukasa’s sublime pass put Solomon through for a one-on-one it seemed easier to score but West Ham’s winger shot straight at the keeper. Still just one goal in it, despite about 15 attempts on goal.
Substututes Austbo and debutant Adama entered as like-for-like substitutions rather than park the bus options as Nuno, quite right too, pushed for another goal. Finally, relief all round on 87 minutes as a really intelligent run and cross from Engels lead to Austbø firing in for his first, West Ham’s second and surely Nuno’s three points. A cool headed finish from the 21 year old.
And late sub Mohamadou Kanté blasted the coup de grace on 94 minutes to make it a comfortable finish despite the mid-game nerves.
Seventh place and all’s well with the world.
They didn’t have a lot upfront but because of the lack of quality in this division we could of drawed that game, papered over the cracks, let them back in the game 2nd half
Does anyone think that austbo looks like Matthew ethrington
yes
Let’s hope that Boylesports and their likes don’t get a grip on this young man’s money, Robbie.
Gambling ruined Matthew’s life.
Pointing out the obvious but think Austbo is going to be a big hit, also because he enjoys his football so much.
Great to see Kante score. He has had several scuffed shots in the last few games and this one was spot on. Last season, everyone said how tough a time it was for youngsters playing in a struggling team but seeing Kante score made me realise this season the reverse is true, for quite a few reasons.
NES’ 4-2-1-3 setup (that’s how I see it) is brave and attacking, with 2 attackers on the pitch. Must be that championship teams are not managing to counter it. Glad to see NES switch to 4-3-3 when the time was right and not give up on scoring again. It has taken a while. Also find that the team looks very balanced in a 4-3-3 and that is an excellent sign. For the first time in aeons think team’s midfield is skillful, quick and one of the strongest parts of the team. Still developing I know.
Already mentioned it, but we are going to miss Mukasa next season. Probably will be able to say this after every match of the season.
Engels and Austbo definitely showing the future is bright, today should have been a higher score, I think we had 20 shots to their 1.
Eighth place. Great result but weak performance against a poor side.
Never felt threatened by Derby till late second half when they had a couple of corners and it was still only 1 nil and the Derby fans started piping up as if they knew that by some miracle, or the laws of football, there might actually be something in the game for them after all. There wasn’t. Actor nil it was all over, just a case of if we could add a third. We did. Game over. Happy days.
Against a better team whu might of struggled.
As suggested game should have been put to bed much earlier.
Hermansen long kicks weren’t accurate and we’re far to far up field no chance for whu player.
Scored line could have been much closer however a good 3pts.
All that passing around defence on goal kicks looks like a mistake waiting to be done.
Onwards and upwards hopefully.
Questions on missing players Pablo, Magassa, Areola, Alvarez.
Can’t do too much with the goalie kicks, Jeeps. Outfield players just need to get used to them and anticipate and react accordingly.
We will progress as a team.
Totally agree with your point of passing around in defence. Accidents waiting to happen.
You only beat what’s in front of you and who’s to say that against a better team (like Wolves) we might raise our game. As for the missing players you mentioned……the only question should be will they remain missing. Mr Negative