The Hammers have secured back-to-back wins for the first time since early September after a nerve-wracking 1-0 win over Swansea City. After achieving a crucial three points, Nuno’s side now rise to second in the Championship table, being on the same points as Middlesbrough, who dropped points to Cardiff City earlier today, and closing the gap to Swansea themselves, with the difference now just a single point.
Divine Mukasa, who returned to the side this afternoon, proved to be the difference this afternoon as Mohamadou Kante darted inside the box before passing into the middle and allowing Mukasa to fire in what is an almost-certain goal.
Nuno’s tactics this afternoon did certainly leave Swansea with room for freedom, but certainly not a room full of true opportunity, as the Welsh side would end the 90 minutes with zero shots on target, despite coming close numerous times.
Bar the Mukasa goal, the Hammers had a quiet first spell but posed more of a threat in the second. A flurry of chances went West Ham’s way in the second half, with Pablo coming ever so close to scoring his second goal of the campaign, as well as Jarrod Bowen, who nearly added to his tally with a curled effort.
The match this afternoon certainly wasn’t pretty for West Ham, but neither was it for Swansea. It was a match that essentially saw two sides tussle with each other with similar tactics, and ultimately the margins were narrow but swung our way.
A semi-rotated side and formation change was to be expected given that only two days of rest had been managed before today’s game, but looking ahead to Southampton, we will likely have a fully fit and rested side, given that no visible injuries occurred today.
West Ham won’t walk over every side in the Championship, and sometimes the best of the best still have to grind out results, and today that is exactly what was displayed. It might not be the prettiest, but winning ugly certainly isn’t bad on the occasion.
Three points achieved, 22 points total and a mere one away from the League leaders.
Comments
Actually thought we controlled the game Louis
Yes we let them have the ball to knock around but it was going nowhere fast and they were frustrated...and if that is the best the leagues got then promotion is not a maybe not for me anyway.
We competed well today in both halves and should of had at least four more goals but it was not to be and so it got a bit edgy as with only the one goal anything could happen.
The hit the underside of the bar and an almighty good old fashioned goalmouth scramble but apart from that they did not do a lot because we did not let them....yes at the death they had a big chance but blew it and a draw would of been a very unfair result for us .
So Nuno this time got his tactics right no sitting deep and constant square passing and the subs made were the right subs and every member of the team did their jobs well except for putting the ball in the net more often!.
So a good weeks rest for the players and look forward to the Saints game next and hopefully a better home performance than last time
COYI
We must give credit where it
We must give credit where it is due here to this team,winning ugly or not,Nuno aswell.Im enjoying this league,no VAR crap,we are winning games,and up at the top of the league,but you cant stay there year in year out like you can in the Premier,doing well in this league,is your ticket back up there to struggling again,thats the sad part about it.
Its very true
I think the prem is a toxic paradise. Every club strives for it from the chumps but the reality is its so refreshing not being pumped by clubs that are stronger for no other reason than having more money. Yes we are the big spenders here but the level is far closer overall.
As you say we dream of going back up, being whipping boys again week in week out listening to vomit inducing carragher n neville
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Amazes me how posters condemn n insult nuno before the balls been kicked off. Some seem to think its an easy job, put 2 strikers out, tell the players to score 3 goals, job done.
Reality is he has to rotate players, consider the fact theres another manager with 11 players conspiring to outdo him.
For me hes doing just fine. He knows this league, he knows his squad. I wish people would support him a bit more. Remember potter? Loopy? Those two were the clueless ones.
i remember you having a go
Saying people can't have a different opinion to me etc and yet here you go about those who choose to voice their own opinion about the manager its their choice and welcome to it so it amazes me that it amazes you that others have a different opinion about the manager to you...you can back him to the hilt thats your choice but it does not stop others having a differing and valid opinion to yours....i and many others have chastised his tactics and how negative he is and yet he put did a good job yesterday i said it and others to but we are not allowed to say that...Managers get stick at every club and if the players and manager revert to not a bad game but bad negative tactics then yes they will get it in the neck that is football that is what fans do.so wind you neck in a bit if that is possible.