West Ham go into the break level at Selhurst Park, but itâs one of those halves that leaves you slightly uneasy. The Hammers started the brighter side, had moments of control, yet somehow itâs Crystal Palace whoâve had the better chances.
Thereâs a familiar theme creeping in tooâsloppy moments at the back and missed opportunities going forward. That said, West Ham have been slightly the better team.
Still, there were signs of life late in the half. The Hammers finally built some pressure and forced a response, but you canât shake the feeling this game should already look different.
Bright start fades as Palace threaten
West Ham began on the front foot, with Tomas SouÄek leading the press and trying to drag the team up the pitch. Kyle Walker-Peters looked lively early on too, making a couple of positive forward runs as the Hammers tried to impose themselves.
But as the half wore on, Palace and Johnson were handed their best moments through sloppy West Ham play.
Mads Hermansenâwill be relieved to see Brennan Johnson waste two big chances, including a header from eight yards that really should have hit the target. That miss keeps West Ham level, but itâs a warning sign.
Axel Disasi has been commanding, there was one lapse where Johnsonâs run wasnât tracked. Against better finishing, thatâs 1-0.
Diouf concern becoming a pattern
Thereâs a growing issue thatâs hard to ignore now.
El Hadji Malick Diouf once again started the game by gifting possession in a dangerous area, allowing Johnson to break. Itâs becoming a recurring themeâthose early sloppy moments that immediately put West Ham under pressure. That said, he does seem to grow into the game well and finished the half strongly.
Mavropanos leads late push
As the half ticked towards the break, West Ham finally found some rhythm againâand Konstantinos Mavropanos was at the heart of it.
A brilliant piece of strength and footwork saw him rob Jørgen Strand Larsen early in the game and later he nearly capped it with a goal, forcing a strong save from Dean Henderson following an excellent Diouf cross.
It summed up the late improvementâmore aggression, more intent, and finally asking questions of Palace.
Further forward, though, itâs been a bit hit and miss. Jarrod Bowen hasnât quite clicked, wasting a good opportunity to release Taty Castellanos early, while Crysencio Summerville looks like a player still shaking off the rust. He did get one big chance after Bowen finally found him, but it was well blocked.
Up top, Castellanos and Pablo have worked hard, but quality has been lacking. One effort over the bar, one miscontrol from a good position, and even an overhead kick clearedânearly moments, not decisive ones.
Big second half required
This is still there for West Ham, no question.
But itâs also a game that could easily swing the other way if those defensive lapses continue. Palace have already shown they can create chances, and West Ham havenât been clinical enough to punish them at the other end.