Betway Voodoo Broken

Hammers outplayed Atalanta to win the Betway cup 2-0 at the London Bowl, this was a more than decent work out against a very good team, the visitors are renowned for their fast paced attacking play, but were nullified by a stalwart and well marshalled defence.

The fans returning to only the 2nd home game in 18 months that they had been allowed to attend were treated to a decisive, clinical performance with many of the players deserving special credit, none more so than Said Benrahma, who bewildered the visitors midfielders and defenders with his balletic footwork.

Seeing Declan Rice back with a smile on his face was very encouraging, all the talk of deals and contracts looking to be well on the back burner, his body language was good, and he linked up with his 'partner in crime' Tomas Soucek as if they had never been away.

David Moyes is well known for throwing the odd curve ball in, and today was no exception, he elected to start Andriy Yarmolenko and despite actually running here and there, he proved just why he is ill suited to the frenetic pace of top flight domestic football.

Goals towards the end of the 1st half and the 2nd did for the visitors, who showed moments of real quality, but were unable to break down Hammers defensive line up despite a couple of close calls. Hammers had never won the Betway Cup before, well they have now.

Having removed one long-standing 'monkey on their shoulder's', the club now have to face perennial party poopers Newcastle. Last season they won two games that saved them from relegation, Hammers lost two games which denied them a European Champions League place, so there are some afters! - Ed