Having secured a valuable 3-0 victory against Newcastle at St James' Park on Saturday West Ham were looking to gain back to back Premier League wins for the first time in a little short of two years, however possible due to enforced changes and squad rotation the atmosphere at the London Stadium was a rather stilted affair despite Hammers peppering the Cardiff goal and coming close to score on three occasions. The 'lack lustre vibe' continued until, with 10 minutes to play until half-time, Cardiff were awarded an extremely dubious penalty when Marko Arnautovic was deemed to have fouled Junior Hoilett in the box.
The London Stadium was a cauldron of seething resentment to the fans who couldn't believe their team's dominance was about to be cruelly denied, up stepped Cardiff midfielder Joe Ralls, but his low left footed effort was kept out superbly by Lukasz Fabianski. Resentment turned to absolute joy and the Stadium erupted, noise levels went through the roof and the home team seemed to gain anextra yard roared onby the now animated crowd, even the unwelcome sight of Arnoutovic having to be substituted before half time wasn't greeted with the dispair that would normally be expected.
'Arnie's' replacement Lucas Perez was not initially greeted with any enthusiasm at all, with many fans not able to comprehend Pellegrini not utilising Andy Carroll instead, but in 'Pele' they have a manager who they can trust, his judgement vindicated in a five minute second half spell where Perez scored a brace, the ex-Arsenal player's first Premier League goals for nearly two years. The fact that one of the assists for Perez's goals game from another player that Pele believed in when no one else did, Robert Snodgrass speaks volumes for the Hammers' manager's man management skills and perception.
Snodgrass left the pitch to a deserved standing ovation from all round the Stadium, his redemption and Perez's inclusion shows just why Manuel Pellegrini is the man to steer the club up the table, who knows how far? Although one suspects a certain Chilean pensioner knows exactly how far, City fans used to call him this gentle man, perhaps Hammers fans may end up calling him 'The Redeemer'. - Ed
Comments
soft soft Pen
But Fabianski proved he was the man again....as for El Pel as i put in my thread "team managment"he knows how to manage game situations perfectly....bfs/moyes/Slav..would of thrown carroll on but no Pel showed some loyalty to a man who has been nothing but a bench warmer all season in Perez choosing him over Carroll showed those who think they no better that there is only one man making decisions on who gets on the pitch and thats the Manager not fans not pundits but El Pel...
When I first saw the pen
When I first saw the pen decision I was a bit disgruntled but having seen the replay I'd say ref got it right. Really we should critise marko for pushing a player in the back who was running away from goal. So I say yes it was a penal.... Sorry I just can't get the word out it sticks in my throat