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In what was an enthralling and entertaining match to watch at the London Stadium, if you were a neutral, West Ham twice went ahead through the Duracel bunny that is Pablo Fornals and Michail Antonio, unfortunately Conor Gallagher scored a brace for Patrick Vieira's Crystal Palace to draw the visitors level as David Moyes winning start to the season came to an ultimately frustrating end in what was a stonking London derby.

West Ham: Fabiański, Coufal, Dawson, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Rice (c), Souček, Bowen, Fornals, Benrahma, Antonio Subs: Areola (GK), Fredericks, Johnson, Baptiste, Diop, Coventry, Lanzini, Noble, Yarmolenko
Palace: Guaita, Ward, Guéhi, Andersen, Mitchell, Kouyaté, McArthur (c), Zaha, Gallagher, Ayew, Benteke Subs: Butland, Tomkins, Riedewald, Schlupp, Kelly, Hannam, Street, Rak-Sakyi, Mateta

To be a successful professional sportsperson requires an astonishing amount of self belief as well as talent and hard work, these are requisite qualities for survival in the cut throat environment of 'elite' football, especially when referring to the Barclays Premier League.

Hopefully Ronaldo signing for Manchester United will give the red tops something to occupy themselves with for a while, it is to be hoped during that lull that Hammers can proceed with acquiring their transfer targets, one is already having a medical, the other is just about to become 'firmed up' as ` result of Ronaldo's move to United.

West Ham United have been handed a favourable draw in the Europa League, the club has been drawn in the same group as: GNK Dynamo, SK Rapid Vienna and KRC Genk. The games are scheduled to be played from the 12th of September onwards.
Europa League draw in full:

Group A: Lyon, Rangers, Sparta Prague, Brondby

Group B: Monaco, PSV Eindhoven, Real Sociedad, Sturm Graz

Group C: Napoli, Leicester City, Spartak Moscow, Legia Warsaw

Group D: Olympiakos, Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahce, Royal Antwerp

It really is a 'bit previous' to be discussing this topic, but IF all the sudden hurdles that have recently appeared are cleared in the Kurt Zouma to West Ham from Chelsea transfer, who will make way for the 26, soon to be 27 year old, in the starting line up? The current incumbents, Angelo Ogbonna and Craig Dawson, are creaking at the seams age wise, but use their experience very effectively and make up for their lack of pace by intelligent positioning.

"West Ham in race against clock to get Kurt Zouma registered in time to play Crystal Palace"

That is a rather confusing leading line, but one that the majority of news sources are 'churning out' today. Sky lead with "West Ham have until 12pm tomorrow (Friday) to get Kurt Zouma registered in time to play against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday", that is according to Dharmesh Sheth who when speaking on Sky Sports News on Wednesday, reported that Hammers are “close to agreeing a deal” for the 26 year old Chelsea centre back.

Manchester United have been drawn against West Ham in the Carabao Cup third round, the 'Moose' Cup game will be held at Old Trafford and will be decided via penalties if required, with no replays. The tie will be played on the midweek of September the 22nd or 23rd.

Hammers have done remarkably well, last season and so far this season, the bedrock of Hammers surprising surge to becoming a genuine top six club has been the club's stoic defence, as well as it's astonishing counter attacking prowess.

Playing in one of Europe’s top two continental competitions is a tremendous honour, with West Ham United making their way into the Europa League by virtue of their sixth place finish last season.