Meet the New West Ham, same as the old West Ham. The line-up is a bit disappointing, featuring only Kilman and Rodriguez of the new signings.
It’s a poor start as Soucek miscontrols to give away a needless corner after four minutes. From the resulting corner Onana loses Antonio and heads home far too easily. West Ham look sluggish. Is it too soon to say “Lopetegui out!” we wonder. It’s almost two for Villa as Rogers wriggles through to force a fine low save from Areola. Plus we’ve got the sun in our eyes.
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A simple ball over the top sees Bailey get behind Emerson, round the onrushing Areola and hit the post, put off a little by a good recovery from Kilman. Then it’s McGinn’s turn to fire just wide from the edge of the area. Bowen can’t get in the game and Antonio is struggling up front, though Kudus does impress with some mazy dribbles. The bloke behind us says his under-ten side can pass it better than this lot. Strange the board haven’t appointed him as gaffer.
West Ham receive an unexpected lifeline when Paqueta chips into the box. Soucek goes down like a felled conifer under a challenge from Cash and after a VAR check the penalty is given. Nigel suggests it’s a “penalty Czech”. It’s very soft as Cash has got a toe to the ball. Paqueta does his usual stop-start jump and skip and fires home a calmly-taken spot-kick before giving thanks to the heavens. At the end of the half Emerson goes close with a low shot that Martinez has to turn past the post.
West Ham start the second half with greater intent as the crowd fire them up with “West Ham are Massive!” Coufal gets in a fine cross but Antonio heads over when well-placed.
When Emery brings on Duran for Villa, whom West Ham have been trying to sign, Matt suggests we know what’s going to happen next. Lopetegui acts after 73 minutes bringing on on Fullkrug, Summerville and Ward-Prowse. The fact J-Lo takes off Bowen and Paqueta shows he’s not scared of subbing big names.
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