The round of the most anticipated derby of the season resulted in a draw and ultimately was a game of two halves between the sides. It’s not shameful to admit that Millwall totally and utterly dominated the Hammers in the first spell - taking the fact that it was against Millwall out of the equation, it was still one of the lamest halves the Hammers have had in a long while.
However, after a magical team talk and likely a few kind and calm words exchanged, we came out swinging courtesy of a ranged driven strike from Kanté as well as a thumped-in header from Mavropanos, and despite making the initial mistake, Kanté was sent off for a last-man challenge, which will certainly be praised rather than criticised.
Elsewhere, an incident on the ball between the Millwall Goalkeeper and Taty Castellanos happened, with a rumour saying Taty spat on Marschall. An instant replay was shown, but nothing was visible, so that will certainly be investigated and looked over across the international break.
The first half was disappointing for many reasons. Defensive mishaps, inability to defend set-pieces, as well as the obsession with playing a long ball.
Whilst he’s been immense in the attacking half, as he was today, which rescued a point. Mavropanos and a long ball are the equivalent of going back to a toxic partner… You might try to get back with one another ten times, and if it only works once, you don’t keep going, do you? Infuriating beyond belief.
Elsewhere, the substitutes proved dividends as Kante once again proved to have a lethal strike, and the addition of the returning Austbø brought much-needed energy. Pablo also nearly scored his first league goal through a headed effort, but it was saved from close range.
A dominant second half, but the first 45 minutes will be one to forget. The only aspect of disappointment in the second spell was Mohamadou Kante, who gave away the ball, allowing the Millwall forward a one-on-one opportunity, but he cleverly took out the last man, ensuring he was dragged to ground, which ended his time on the field. An inevitable red card, but in that moment it was always worth it over conceding. Heroic.
A good result for the Hammers, who scored twice at The Den for the first time since 1939. A point taken and now unbeaten in the Championship for six games. A hard-fought point, credit where credit is due.
West Ham United currently remain at the top of the Championship but will inevitably drop down due to results elsewhere. The furthest the Hammers can fall by the end of the gameweek is 7th place.
Comments
Defense.
Nuno has to sort our defence out we keep giving teams advantage by poor defending we are always playing catch up even in this division.Kilman i just don't know what has happened to him not long ago he was in the England squad now shot to pieces and that has an effect on mavropranos and he gets jittery and walker peters blows hot and cold mainly cold.personally i feel golambeckis should be given a run out more in place of kilman or walker peters while veltman is out injured we can't keep giving teams the advantage i just feel nuno isn't up to the job he hasn't the passion in him he is to laid back almost falling asleep on the job perhaps he has.
Spitting incident
With the gam being on ITV we have the advantage of replaying this incident 4or5 times and cannot see how Taty cold have spat on Marschall he is too far away and fire his spit that far it would be clearly visible especially if it was supposed to hit him on the head and so imo the millwall keeper has not released the ball quick enough and hood winked the referee and done WHU out of a corner which is called cheating and The goalkeeper should be made to apogise now if they can ban Taty for spitting how about they ban Marscall for cheating it shoul work both ways. As for Keith Hackett putting in a complaint to the FA about Castllanos spitting whats it got to do with him?? If he wants to put a complaint in, it should be about Mavrapanos being kept off the field and WHU going down to 10 men and Millwall scoring from the corner- Paul Tierney should have waived Dinos on to the pitch and I am convinced had he have done this Millwall might not have scored their 1st goal but all in all was happy with the draw, must have been daunting for the the younger players and think Kante did well getting sent off and taking one for the team.