The Hammers were left to rue missed chances against Man City as expectations continue to build under new manager Slaven Bilic’s fascinating first season. David Ironmonger reports.
West Ham failed to capitalise on their chances as they were held to a 2-2 home draw against Manchester City.
The Hammers were in good form against the former champions after twice taking the lead but failed to make their chances pay to finish off their opponents. In a game from which they were disappointed not to have taken all three points, the team showed good promise but yet again this season, failed to reap the full benefits of a fine performance.
West Ham have returned nine draws in 23 games. Although they have looked a formidable team at times this year, the East Londoners have not been deadly enough. This exemplifies the Hammers’ season thus far.
On Saturday Ener Valencia opened the scoring in just under a minute to give the hosts the lead in a surprising start at the Boleyn Ground. But City striker Sergio Aguero equalised from the penalty spot just eight minutes later. Valencia again scored early in the second-half to give the hosts the lead, but Aguero also got his second goal in the 80th minute to level the game. Hammers were left very disappointed when midfielder Kouyate missed a fine chance to win the game in the last minute of injury time.
In his post game interview with Sky Sports, City coach Manuel Pellegrini praised Aguero for rescuing a point for his side in what he described as “a tough away game.” That serves as a compliment to the East London club who have proved very difficult to beat at home this season and have managed to defeat Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City all in the same season for the first time in over a decade.
In their last season at the iconic Boleyn ground, West Ham have been very impressive under new manager Slaven Bilic. The Hammers have built quite a momentum with their recent form and lie in 6th place – just six points off a Champions League spot. The dream of playing in Europe’s top club competition against elite teams in the new Olympic Stadium next season has becoming a realistic achievement and one that some fans are praying for.
Every time a ‘smaller’ team gets going on a fantastic run in the Premier League, fans become wide eyed, expectations go through the roof and the emotions become sky high. But this is all before the inevitable drop off in form and the agonising realisation that their team is just a cog in the rather large Premier League.
Leicester City this season have proven to be a breath of fresh air, despite many experts writing them off as league title contenders. The team has propelled to an impressive 1st place, with much thanks to in-form players Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez. The BBC recently released its Injury table and Leicester are at the top with limited injuries all year. It’s reasonable to acknowledge that it has had a major influence in their pursuit of the unbelievable. Leicester fans would be shaking in their boots if they lost key players to injuries.
West Ham have maintained a strong league position while going through injuries to key players. Manuel Lanzini, Diafra Sahko, Dmitri Payet, Victor Moses, Winston Reid, Enner Valencia, and Andy Carroll have all missed numerous games. It’s a credit and to the squad and the manager, unlike last year, that the team can still scrap results when half the first-choice side is missing.
Motivation
After an eventful winter of numerous draws with a half- fit team, it seems the foundation has been laid. However, cynical Hammers fans will tell you that the idea of a dream season can never happen, because they’re far too used to it going wrong. As soon as it seems the foundations of a good season are laid they then crumble and leave a question of what might have been.
In past years the Boleyn Ground has seen booing from home fans when the team fell behind or lost the game, but general support at the ground has been phenomenal thus far this season. Perhaps, it has something to do with the fact this is the final year at the stadium. The motivation from the crowd is now exceptional. Every time this year the team has found itself 1-0 down a chorus of ‘Bubbles’ fills the entire arena and works almost as a counter strike to the opponent’s goal.
Some pundits claim the only way the team can get into the top four is – with what most West Ham fans would love – north London rivals Tottenham collapsing down the table and Hammers pipping them to the glory of the Champions League spot.
As we approach the final quarter of the season with West Ham in touching distance of European qualification, so the question beckons; can the Hammers dare to dream the European dream? Diehard fans will claim that behind the golden touch of Payet the top four seems an emotive possibility, but is it a reality?