Having seen their team get well and truly battered on the opening day of the season, many Hammers fans were hoping to see their players 'chip in' with some flair play and a few goals against 'bogey team' Brighton & Hove. When the team sheets were released that optimism instantly evaporated , Manuel Pellegrini would be deprived of nearly £90 Million worth of players in the form of record signings Seb Haller and 'Pepe' Andersson.
Feelings of Dejavu were becoming increasingly to the fore as Hammers were outfought and out thought, particularly in the centre of the park and down the left hand side, Nil point seemed to be the order of the day. How the Irons didn't go in two or three goals down is a welcome mystery, it was obvious something had to be done, and the management team had to set about making amends during the half time break.
It is not as if there hadn't already been widespread rearranging of the team ahead of the match, El Pel had made five changes to the team that started against Citeh, two of which were enforced as a result of 'robust' challenges intelligently carried out high enough up the pitch by Pep Guardiola's players. On the first half's showing something needed to be done and so the 'beast' was summoned.
As soon as the 'leggy' Jack Wilshere was withdrawn, Mikail Antonio was able to bully and harry the Brighton players, his sheer physical presence was enough to break the stride of the home team, so much so that they conceded a soft goal, poached not boiled, by Javier Hernandez. Indeed had Antonio had his shooting boots on he might have snuck all three points for the Hammers.
Alas it was not to be, Hammers lack of fire power was cruelly exposed by the absences of Haller and Anderson, interestingly Grady Diangana had a blinder of a start of his loan spell at Slaven Billic's West Brom, scoring within minutes of being brought on as a second half sub, he then scored a second to wrap up a superb debut. Diangana has gone to the Baggies on a season's long loan, but it is believed there was a call back clause that can be activated in January.
At least the past seasons' rot of losing so many matches in August has stopped, and it was the 'beast' who helped change that dreadful stat, if only he could improve his finishing Antonio really could be a World beater. Hopefully the club have turned the corner now, and will go to Watford, who have had a shaky start, and continue where they left off last season, a 3-1 victory to the Hammers. - Ed
