West Ham 3-1 Derby
Two weeks on the spin West Ham have had to put in an inspired second half performance to recover from a slow start. Julian Fabuert and Freddie Piquionne made the difference as the Hammers once again came from behind to win a crucial match.
Kevin Nolan scored a stunning goal to epitomise a battling second half showing that proves that the East Enders have promotion quality in the Championship. Mark Noble and Carlton Cole also got on the scoresheet to move the Hammers to within two points of the league leaders Southampton.
Derby started well under the floodlights and deservingly took the lead after 34 minutes when Tamas Priskin cleverly drilled the ball past Green to silence the Upton Park crowd. That goal seemed to wake the home side up and they struck back just before the break after Cole got on the end of a delightful Joey O’Brien cross to go in at half time on level terms.
The Hammers dominated the second period and quickly took the lead through Nolan’s volley just after the hour mark and they didn’t look like losing that lead from then on.
Noble then converted a penalty after Piquionne was upended in the area to the dismay of the Rams players. Big Sam’s delight at the third goal was clear to see as more pressure was lifted from his shoulders and he can look forward to the next game with the possibility of moving top of the Championship for the first time.
A man of the match performance from the much improved Faubert earned him a standing ovation from the Hammers fans as he was replaced by Matty Taylor, who was finally returning from injury. Taylor looked impressive after his introduction and when the hosts got the ball down and passed, Derby had no answer for the movement and skill on offer.
With our promotion rivals stuttering somewhat, it was the perfect time to comfortably earn three points, on TV and show the chasing pack what they are up against. The only negative side was one lapse in defence to allow Priskin to score and Sam Baldock’s first half injury that could keep him out of the trip to Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.
