Opinion from the stands

West Ham’s near-perfect performance ends 52 years of hurt

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WOW! 3-0, just phenomenal!

1963 was the last time we managed an Anfield win and after 52 years, we have done it again. The performance was world class, not allowing Liverpool time or space with the ball, getting forward in numbers as well as being unified defensively.

If someone had said that after four games we would be 7th with 6 points we would have probably said, yeah that sounds about right given the two winnable home games. However, to get those points in the manner we did was truly astonishing. Two away games, five goals and two clean sheets against Arsenal and Liverpool combined is great for the club.

Obviously everybody played well but I would like to outline a few major positives from the game. Manuel Lanzini got us off to a great start with his second goal for the club in his first full premier league debut, both of which have been scored in the 3rd minute of play, but perhaps more impressive than his goal which was largely down to the poor defending of Liverpool was his all round contribution in all phases of the game.

Defensively, Lanzini kept tracking back to provide James Tomkins with support in his battle against Gomez and Liverpool’s rotating forward line. Lanzini has great ability on the ball, dribbling around the pitch to ensure that we maintain possession which is important, especially away from home when usually that is at a premium. And let’s not forget that his pace and trickery, shown through his role in the second goal, is going to prove to be a nightmare for opposition defenders.

James Tomkins also impressed me greatly. Tomkins has started both away wins at right back and to me he really looks impressive in that position. The fact that Tomkins isn’t a player that is going to be getting forward all the time allows Cresswell, who was also fantastic, the licence to get forward knowing that if he does get caught there are three ‘Centre Backs’ ready to defend against a potential opposition counter attack. Perhaps he can provide competition both for Reid and Ogbonna as well as Jenkinson who has looked well off the pace in our two home fixtures against Leicester and Bournemouth.

Our midfield and attack was phenomenal all game and it is very hard to pick a specific positive to highlight. Noble, Kouyate and Obiang seem to have a great mutual understanding and the balance between them is really pleasing. Obiang seems to take pleasure in defending which allows Noble to look forward more and Kouyate to support the forwards. Payet and the previously mentioned Lanzini provided danger to an anxious Reds defence all day and Sakho played very well despite the fact that he is not yet 100% fit.

As always join the conversation below and I hope that somehow we enjoy the next two weeks without Premier League football. Next up for us is a Monday night home fixture at the Boleyn Ground against Newcastle. Hopefully by then one or two players will have returned from injury and we can press on a secure that first home victory.

COYI!

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