A Light Shone Down

Fans leaving the as yet unnamed London Stadium were greeted with a sumptuous skyline that somehow reflected the mood perfectly, a beautiful rainbow filled the sky on a day when the club's fortunes changed for the good and the late great Bobby Moore's life and achievements were honoured.

There was a special atmosphere despite the club's awful Premier relegation placing and genuine fear of failure. The players, after having paid their respects to 'Sir' Bobby looked as nervous as the Stadium felt, it wasn't for the lack of trying but nothing seemed to be going according to plan, IF there was a plan as many disgruntled fans were murmuring as the game went on.

Starting Danny Ings as a lone striker didn't go down too well, but at least it was a change! If only he had started two he would have earned a lot more of 'an accommodation' from the crowd. Lucas Pacqueta showed glimpses of why the club paid it's record transfer fee for him, but it seemed as if the tin gods were going to do 'that theng' and have a laugh at the home fans expense when Jarrod Bowen's shot hit the post and then the Pacman was denied a goal of the month as his shot came off the woodwork!

Half time came and went with the majority of the 'natives' expressing their disapproval to each other but most importantly NOT to the team, they clearly recognised their team's fragility and didn't want to give the visitors any additional ammunition. As the 60th minute approached all eyes were on the bench as it was approaching 'Moyes time' as he always starts making his substitutions around the 60th minute mark.

Next minute, Lukasz Fabianski had to be substituted because of a head injury and was replaced by Alphonse Aréola. Virtually the first touch of the ball by the French keeper went to Jarrod Bowen who passed to Danny Ings who pinged the ball home. The goal would have come as a great relief to Ings who had missed a sitter early doors,but his confidence clearly grew, because within a couple of minutes Ings scored again! This time he bundled the ball over the line, but they ALL count.

Suddenly the unnamed Stadium was alive and the cherry on top came when Declan Rice curled a beaut into the corner of the net to put his team into an unassailable lead. Ings was brought off and replaced by Big Mikey Antonio who netted himself with a neat header to end his personal goal drought and make the victory resounding!

Incidentally the glut of goals was preceded by the introduction by the visitors of Jesse Lingard and Andre Ayew, both of who were given a raucous reception, particularly Lingard!

Three Points that felt more like FOUR! Se fans will feel the points will merely prolong David Moyes' tenure as manager, but realistically if he can win another five fames the club will be safe, then and only then should his overall position be examined forensically and not emotionally, for now he has an FA Cup 5th round televised game against Manchester United on Wednesday to prepare for, ahead of a crucial Premier League fixture AND a European tie. - Ed