First home fixture of the season, capacity crowd, Sunny afternoon and the visit of one of the club's fiercest rivals, what more could a fan want? Well a 3-1 victory after going down to ten men might do, mightn't it? Throw in your new first choice goalkeeper saving a pen at a crucial stage in the game and you kind of get the picture!
All eyes were on Lucas Paqueta from the off and when he picked up his USUAL yellow card there were fears he would pick up a second and get himself sent off. Instead it was Nayef Aguerd who had that dubious honour, under the new rulings he was bang to rights and his dismissal in the 68th minute with Hammers struggling to hold on to their 2-1 lead was seemingly going to be too much and that the visitors would run riot.
Instead the "Billion Pound Team" huffed and they puffed but they could not penetrate an airtight Hammers defence well marshalled by captain Kurt Zouma and added to by the introduction of Edson Alvarez who made an instant impact and endeared himself to the home fans in a heartbeat with his tough uncompromising tackling!
Earlier in the game Aguerd was the hero as he scored within the first seven minutes, but as usual Hammers sat back and invited Chelsea on. Matters were not helped by the referees' propensity for issuing yellow cards, so it was rather inevitable that Chukwuemeka would bring Chelsea level in the 28th minute.
Things could have gone from bad to worse had Areola not saved Enzo Fernandez's penalty, but it looked to all and sundry that Chelsea would inevitably overpower Hammers defence in the 2nd half. Instead Michail Antonio was delightfully put through by new signing James Warde-Prowes and managed to put away a difficult shot from some considerable distance, at last!
The joy of going ahead was short lived as Chelsea piled on the pressure and Aguerd picked up his second yellow. Moyes, who should have substituted Aguerd earlier, brought on Angelo Ogbonna and then Alavarez to shore up the defence which was under continuous pressure.
Somehow the team stood firm and aided by a raucous and ranting at the referee crowd,not only managed to see the game out, but went on the offensive resulting in the penalty awarded for a foul on Emerson, this was duly dispatched by his best mate Lucas Paqueta.
The Stadium roof nearly came off and the visiting fans went off in their droves as soon as the pen hit the back of the net! Some win, how many people bet on that result hey? - Ed
Comments
We deserved that result
whilst our perpensity to sit back and defend a lead after going a goal up is frustratingly annoying and then to concede very much like the Bournemouth game last week because of that i am sure we all feared the worse but the one thing we had in abundance was a never say die attitude in abundance and i am sure 22 set of legs will be getting plenty of massages this week(HG volunteer?)......that second half performance after going down to 10 men was real Rourkes drift stuff but we held our nerve and showed those Chav owners billions can't buy you a set of bollocks like our players had today........from the gk to the beast everyone put in a shift and though only a fleeting appearance that Alvarez looks a hell of a player and a future Captain imo.....what a result fully merited by a team of players fighting for each other unlike those billionaire arrogant ponces from Kensington......much as the club drives me/us insane at times with there antics i'd rather have that than the arrogant entitled pricks from the west....COYI
look guys
I am willing to forgo my day off if i am needed to massage some very tired muscular legs:-).
As for the game i was there with my Chaperone(after my problems when we last played that lot)and i have to say sticking it to those overrated overpaid under performing tossers made my day and seeing those so called fans skulking off ha what a bunch of and please excuse my french gentleman but what a bunch of Wankers no class glory hunting dirtbags so thanks West Ham for making yesterday so much fun. Just heading over to the the physios room i will bring my own massage oils:-) COYI
Now you stop that H G ,you
Now you stop that H G ,you know my blood pressure goes sky high at your posts, so much innuendo and as for those bootys ,now let see ,if i can get the last plane from Shannon I can be there bout two , is there a que ?,and do you take Green shield stamps ,government butter vouchers ,or LGRA.
Viagra
Don't believe that Burkie! I reckon your as fit as a butchers dog mate!!;)
Love it HG
Yes remember them gits the way they treated you! Payback time & never upset a Hammer too much,well done to your hundreds of chaperones!!
Absolutely Mac
That was Westham at our best,a joy to behold & it looked like the best atmosphere ever at the B of M soon it could be welcome to the pleasure dome!It's what we were told/ promised/ BS to or whatever,Sully has delivered at last & credit where credit its due & so has Moyes.These are incredible times at Westham long may it continue
Im a born sceptic, im sorry
Im a born sceptic, im sorry but thats what i am ,a glass half empty guy , i just feel we've seen it before ,the name of the game is consistency ,i dont like Moyes as a manager, his emphasis is on a solid defence ,he goes 1 up and defends like mad ,drawing opposition on like winter snow ,saying that no one can denie it was truly a gutsy performance ,and ive got to say that my motm was Ant ,he's up there virtually on his own and he works tirelessly for the one break which today he got reminding us all of when he first started playing that role , vintage Antonio ,next saturday will be a huge test , the seagulls have evolved from a boggy team into a first rate outfit ,and mark my words they'll be challenging for a top 4 place .
Oh leave off Burkie
You've never been happier mate!!,)
Ill be happier when we emerge
Ill be happier when we emerge from the Brighton dressing room with the points 65
For a minute
I had to re - read! I thought you said pants!!
soap on a rope for you boys this weekend
:-)
Soap on a rope
My fave Xmas present...together with Matchmakers ( orange flavour) Happy Days ;)
I think what this result
I think what this result proves is you can throw as much money as you like around. But if you don't have someone who can finish. Forget it. For as good as Chelsea looked in the first half. West Ham matched them and probably bettered them in the second half. My only criticism is I wish we were more positive after going 1 up. Too dangerous a game Moyes tactics. I don't like this inviting teams on to us all the time. I would be looking to add a couple of full backs to the roster. Emerson & Coufal don't inspire me with confidence defending, though are great going forward. Early days but a very good start.
I agree Enfield
And Coufal & Emerson are more wing backs...but hey isn't it bloody entertaining? Emerson 4th choice at Chelski,whose laughing now? Don't know if its cos he's got his mate Swiss Tony,but the making love to a beautiful woman speech before yesterday worked a treat
Full Backs
Fair comment on Coufal & Emerson when defending.
I expect to see West Ham play more 3-4-3 (Maybe 3-4-1-2) this season.
Agree Mate
Worked a treat!
Up yer arse, up yer arse,
Up yer arse, up yer arse, stick yer blue flag up yer arse......................
Stamford Bridge
To Upton Park....