West Ham United’s FA Cup run has officially ended in the most brutal fashion imaginable - a game that looked down and out, but two last-minute nicks would take us to extra time, and a further two goals would go in for the Hammers, but neither would count before the penalty shootout resulted in a 4-2 defeat.
An initially dreadful first half that was sprinkled with ounces of chances through select individuals saw us one down at the break after a tricky play from Leeds put them one up.
Pain would follow as a surge of chances would go West Ham’s way, but all wouldn’t make their way into the back of the net, bar Taty’s worldie from near the halfway line, but that would be ruled offside.
All appeared said and done as Max sliced and diced our opponent, giving them a penalty, which Calvert-bound to score against West Ham-Lewin converted, putting Leeds 2-0 up.
A magic moment of hope occurred as both Fernandes and Disasi would convert goals in the eleven additional minutes, but our twisted fate of taking it to extra time only prolonged our eventual pain.
Taty and Pablo both sent the crowd into raptures as the pair converted goals in the first half of extra time, Taty taking it around the keeper and Pablo slotting away a tap-in after Bowen’s ranged effort of the woodwork - Though both would be disallowed.
Four times the woodwork was hit this afternoon, and two disallowed efforts occurred for us, which ultimately summarises West Ham’s season.
Penalties came around the corner, but before then, West Ham would suffer yet another injury as Finley Herrick had to step into the net after Areola’s exit. West Ham now have Mavropanos, Todibo, Wan-Bissaka, Summerville and Areola all as doubts for the upcoming match on Friday, against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Despite Finley’s first save, both Bowen and Pablo would miss their respective penalties, resulting in a 4-2 defeat.
Herrick’s best efforts weren’t rewarded, and unfortunately, West Ham’s dreams of going to Wembley are no longer.
Leeds United have drawn Chelsea in the next round of the FA Cup.
It is the hope that kills you, but it is the offsides that hurts us the most. Our fortune continues to hide.
Comments
yup
sums it up perfectly
Yeap
Yeap
I'd put money
On Mav, Toddy, Bissaka,Mads and Summerville being available for the Wolves match and I also expect to see Callum Wilson on the bench if not starting. Areola won't count as he wouldn't have been starting anyway. Whether the 120 minutes removes Bowen from the equation as a starter could be an issue but given his performances of late it is doubtful if he'd be missed.
Friday is our real cup final, and depending on whether Spurs get a new manager bounce reaction will also probably define the rest of our season. I highly doubt yesterdays starting line up was wholly Nuno's decision, a nudge and an email from upstairs probably had more to do with it, but Kilman apart it's not one I was surprised by.
Nunos team Selection
As soon as I saw Kilmans name on the team sheet and No Mavropanos the Alarm bells started to ring and I wasn't wrong didn't slag the player off on the day, cos don't do that, but walked away trying to count the amount of penalties and goals he has cost us. On Nunos press conference he said that Somerville and Tobido were doubtful but never mentioned Mavrapanos and it was a head injury from the beginning of last week and Greece never played him against Hungary in their last game as a precaution even Dinos turned up at Rush Green and said he was fit for the Leeds game, but he could have made all the difference with holding the centre midfield and taking the penalties, Hindsight is a wonderful thing but he also gave Wilson and Hermanson and AWP a rest as well which makes me wonder if Nuno wanted this cup draw in the first place. Hope its going to be worthwhile when we play Wolves on Friday