In recent years we’ve given West Ham a really good game, especially at home, and have been unlucky to end up losing against the Hammers. This was again highlighted earlier in the season when West Ham had a very flattering 3-1 victory against the lads.
Last weeks hero Michael Chopra came into the starting eleven, though he was out on the right wing, replacing Carlos Edwards who dropped to the bench after not training all week. In the only other change Kenwyne Jones came back to the team after suffering from a virus last week and replaced Roy O’Donovan.
As Roy Keane said earlier, we were very poor in the first half and gave West Ham an easy time. We were second to most balls and gave them far too much time and space which you can’t do in any league never mind the Premier League.
The Hammers had some good chances and Dean Ashton almost scored an amazing goal, opening his foot and nearly passing the ball into the net from 20 yards out.
They took the lead 20 minutes in the game through a very dodgy goal. The lads failed to clear and Ljungberg’s shot took a wicked deflection off Nosworthy and ended up in Gordon’s bottom right corner.
This seemed to wake the lads up and we created more chances, Murphy had a few half chances which were pretty comfortable for Green, but he was showing intent which spurred the crowd into life.
Reid and Richardson showed yet again the quality we’ve been lacking for large parts this season in the build up to our equaliser. Andy Reid picked out Richardson down the left wing, who waited until the time was right to cross a low ball into Murphy whose cheeky little flick was met and tapped home by Kenwyne Jones.
Although it sounds obvious, the goal was exactly what we needed in terms of giving the team a lift, as everything was a bit flat.
Craig Gordon kept us in the game late in the first half with an absolutely fantastic save from Carlton Cole’s curling effort which seemed destined for the top corner.
Half Time: 1-1
The second half was a case of backs to the wall for West Ham. Apparently Soccer Saturday claimed they played us off the park, perhaps they should actually watch the game because anyone who did would know that was a load of rubbish.
Danny Collins almost gave us the lead early in the second half meeting Dean Whitehead’s corner, though Noble cleared off the line.
Daryl Murphy will no doubt be having nightmares for the next few days after blazing wide from 8 yards out as a result of some fantastic play from Jones.
Jones almost had himself another tap in just minutes before the 90 minute mark from Edwards’ cross, though his ball was cut out by a West Ham defender.
Edwards was again involved in the final seconds. His cross was flicked on by West Ham defender Tomkins which was met by Andy Reid who smashed his volley past Green. Cue ecstasy, the whole place was electric from start to finish.
Full Time: 2-1
Attendance: 45,690
Although it was a massive win we still aren’t clear of the drop, a win against Fulham next week would be another massive step towards staying up.
MOTM – Andy Reid, superb from start to finish.
