Wait for Home Win Goes On

West Ham United remain in the bottom three of the Premier League table after another home defeat in a London derby. On this occasion, Graham Potter’s men were on the wrong end of another home reverse at the hands of Emirates FA Cup and Community Shield holders Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

Potter made two changes from the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur a week ago . He was without the suspended Tomáš Souček, meaning captain Jarrod Bowen and Callum Wilson started in attack, while there was also a change in goal with Alphonse Areola coming into the starting line-up in place of Mads Hermansen who dropped to the bench.

Jean-Clair Todibo was also amongst the substitutes, as were youngsters Luis Guilherme and Oliver Scarles.

This fixture often goes the way of the away side and this match was no different. The Eagles had yet to suffer defeat in any competition and it definitely showed. West Ham got the crowd excited in the early stages but didn’t pose any real threat. Having said that though, they were up against a very resolute defence.

Crysencio Summerville has impressed since he returned from injury in the 3-0 victory at Nottingham Forest last month and he was certainly trying to make things happen here.

The visitors had clearly been studying the weaknesses of their opponents and referee Tony Harrington awarded them seven corners in the first-half. Daichi Kamada sent the first of those seven into the box with barely ten minutes gone but, to the relief of the majority inside the stadium, it was well dealt with by Areola. Shortly after that Yeremy Pino tried to test the Frenchman on the follow-up but fortunately, Wilson was alert to the danger and managed to get a vital block on the shot.

Oliver Glasner’s side were dominating possession and a great team move ended when the Japanese midfielder headed wide. Adam Wharton was next to try his luck but again, there was no way through.

It took thirty seven minutes for the deadlock to be broken and from Palace’s sixth delivery, a goalmouth scramble resulted in Jean-Philippe Mateta getting the final touch, despite the best efforts of Mavropanos, he failed to stop the ball from crossing the line.

Summerville was involved again as he earnt his side a corner. Once again, it was sent in by James Ward-Prowse. Although the Greek international met the set-piece with his head, it was easy for Eagles’ goalkeeper Dean Henderson to save.

After Daniel Muñoz headed his team’s next corner over Wilson had a great chance to equalise but unfortunately, he wasted it, allowing Pino to gain possession before the striker had taken the shot.

The home fans voiced their frustrations when Harrington brought the first-half to a close.

Just a minute into the second-half and Glasner’s men were up to their same old tricks as they earned yet another corner and almost doubled their advantage. When they opened the scoring, the ball hit the bar before beating West Ham’s French stopper. Well this was almost déjà vu. However, the attempt from Maxence Lacroix didn’t trouble his compatriot.

Had the Eagles taken that chance, it would obviously given the Hammers a mountain to climb but they were certainly thankful for the reprieve and instead of being further behind, they were back on level terms from a corner of their own.

From the next phase of play, the ball past Henderson, as Bowen had headed into the back of the net following a cross from El Hadji Malick Diouf.

The goal really made a difference to the general atmosphere and the momentum was swinging in favour of the Irons but somehow, Henderson managed to prevent the hosts from turning the game on its head. Ward-Prowse and Bowen were both denied, while he also stopped his own player from beating him as Muñoz almost diverted the ball past the Englishman.

Chris Richards then cleared Lucas Paquetá’s header off the line before Henderson thwarted Kyle Walker-Peters.

Just before the hour mark, Potter made his first change as he replaced Wilson with Niclas Füllkrug.

The South London side were slowly getting into their groove again but fortunately, the home support were let off the hook when Mateta missed the target, as he tried to convert Wharton’s free-kick.

Having not scored when in the ascendancy, Potter’s men were made to pay shortly after. Mavropanos couldn’t deal with Wharton’s cross which in turn allowed Tyrick Mitchell space and the defender struck a rocket of a shot past Areola.

The East Londoners were on the back-foot by this point and had to regain their defensive shape to keep their opponents at bay with a combination of Mavropanos and Areola denying both Muñoz and Jefferson Lerma.

Lerma was involved again minutes later, as the former AFC Bournemouth player, together with Mitchell and Justin Devenny all wasted their opportunities.

The Irons Head-Coach then made a double change on seventy eight minutes with both Summerville and Mateus Fernandes being withdrawn in favour of Soungoutou Magassa and Guilherme. The crowd were again vocal, as they showed their disapproval with the latest alterations!!!

Potter’s side haven’t taken any points from their two games under lights so far this season and next up for them is a Monday night meeting with their former manager David Moyes, as they go to Everton’s new stadium on 29 September.