Our fan blogger looks back at Saturday's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace
Fan blogger Joe Difford looks back at Saturday’s draw with Crystal Palace…
Saturday's draw with Crystal Palace might have felt like a loss, but Dimitri Payet's unbelievable free kick and the continuing home unbeaten run must not be forgotten.
Going into the game, fans were hopeful and dare I say expectant of a home win and a chance to overtake Manchester City or at least pull away from Manchester United. However, two unfortunate mistakes in defence and a controversial refereeing decision cost us the three points.
Things didn't go according to plan in the opening quarter of an hour, and Damien Delaney opened the scoring in bizarre fashion. The usually reliable Adrian failed to push a free kick round the post and the Palace defender headed home from a tight angle.
As we have done on many occasions this season however, we struck back within minutes through Manuel Lanzini. There was a hint of good fortune as the ball fell to the Argentine, but he finished with aplomb.
The Boleyn Ground, full of Hammers supporter groups from around the world, was in full voice as Dimitri Payet won a free kick on the edge of the area.
When the Frenchman puts the ball down and pulls the mud off the bottom of his boots, you can't help but expect it to go in and having already missed one free kick earlier on, fans expected to see the ball in the back of the net this time.
Despite a rare seven-man wall intended to prevent Payet from curling the ball into the top left as he has done against Bournemouth, Blackburn and Manchester United this season, the midfield maestro whipped it out to the right and into the top right corner, seemingly defying physics.
You would think the goal would be perfectly timed, allowing Bilic's men to regroup at the break and come out ready to add to the score in the second half, but Palace took advantage of some sloppy play.
The most controversial talking point of the game came in the 67th minute as Cheikhou Kouyate was sent for an early bath. The ball bounced and the West Ham midfielder and Palace's Dwight Gayle went in for the 50/50 ball, but Gayle got there first and Kouyate caught him. The challenge was not reckless nor was his foot high, but Mark Clattenburg decided to show the red card and Palace capitalised soon after.
With a gaping hole in the centre of midfield, the visitors pressed and eventually a defensive error, Angelo Ogbonna clearing the ball onto Winston Reid and into the path of Gayle, allowed Alan Pardew's side to equalise.
It was difficult not to leave Upton Park frustrated after Saturday's tie, but at the end of the day our magnificent home unbeaten run that stretches back to August is still going strong. Not only that, but Payet has another incredible goal to his name and is continuing his great form as we approach the most important run of games in our Club's history.
Next up is the visit of Arsenal, and having beaten the Gunners at the Emirates on the opening day along with our excellent home form, a win is certainly not out of our reach.
Three points would have been ideal on Saturday, but European qualification is still possible and we move forward with a squad that is almost at full strength in terms of fitness and certainly at full strength in terms of team spirit.
For more West Ham fan views or to join the conversation visit www.90min.com
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of West Ham United
Saturday's draw with Crystal Palace might have felt like a loss, but Dimitri Payet's unbelievable free kick and the continuing home unbeaten run must not be forgotten.
Going into the game, fans were hopeful and dare I say expectant of a home win and a chance to overtake Manchester City or at least pull away from Manchester United. However, two unfortunate mistakes in defence and a controversial refereeing decision cost us the three points.
Things didn't go according to plan in the opening quarter of an hour, and Damien Delaney opened the scoring in bizarre fashion. The usually reliable Adrian failed to push a free kick round the post and the Palace defender headed home from a tight angle.
As we have done on many occasions this season however, we struck back within minutes through Manuel Lanzini. There was a hint of good fortune as the ball fell to the Argentine, but he finished with aplomb.
The Boleyn Ground, full of Hammers supporter groups from around the world, was in full voice as Dimitri Payet won a free kick on the edge of the area.
When the Frenchman puts the ball down and pulls the mud off the bottom of his boots, you can't help but expect it to go in and having already missed one free kick earlier on, fans expected to see the ball in the back of the net this time.
Despite a rare seven-man wall intended to prevent Payet from curling the ball into the top left as he has done against Bournemouth, Blackburn and Manchester United this season, the midfield maestro whipped it out to the right and into the top right corner, seemingly defying physics.
You would think the goal would be perfectly timed, allowing Bilic's men to regroup at the break and come out ready to add to the score in the second half, but Palace took advantage of some sloppy play.
The most controversial talking point of the game came in the 67th minute as Cheikhou Kouyate was sent for an early bath. The ball bounced and the West Ham midfielder and Palace's Dwight Gayle went in for the 50/50 ball, but Gayle got there first and Kouyate caught him. The challenge was not reckless nor was his foot high, but Mark Clattenburg decided to show the red card and Palace capitalised soon after.
With a gaping hole in the centre of midfield, the visitors pressed and eventually a defensive error, Angelo Ogbonna clearing the ball onto Winston Reid and into the path of Gayle, allowed Alan Pardew's side to equalise.
It was difficult not to leave Upton Park frustrated after Saturday's tie, but at the end of the day our magnificent home unbeaten run that stretches back to August is still going strong. Not only that, but Payet has another incredible goal to his name and is continuing his great form as we approach the most important run of games in our Club's history.
Next up is the visit of Arsenal, and having beaten the Gunners at the Emirates on the opening day along with our excellent home form, a win is certainly not out of our reach.
Three points would have been ideal on Saturday, but European qualification is still possible and we move forward with a squad that is almost at full strength in terms of fitness and certainly at full strength in terms of team spirit.
For more West Ham fan views or to join the conversation visit www.90min.com
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of West Ham United