With only four games left in West Ham United’s season and after the fuss made of Robin van Persie’s goal for Manchester United against Aston Villa on Monday night. I took a look back over West Ham’s season to see who is a contender for the Hammers’ goal of the season.
I warn you now, Mohamed Diame will appear quite heavily in this article – it appears our midfield talisman has got an eye for a good goal.
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- Mohammed Diame v Arsenal (h) – Diame had started the season quite well, but really announced himself to West Ham supporters with an excellent solo goal against Arsenal. Diame picked the ball out on the left and took on two Arsenal defenders, before cutting back on his right foot, and firing past Szczesny in the Arsenal goal. Upton Park erupted, and it looked as if it had set us up to go and win the game – however, in true West Ham fashion, we conceded before half time, and Theo Walcott inspired the Gunners to a 3-1 win.
- Mohamed Diame v Chelsea (h) – I chose this goal for the sheer occasion and timing of the goal. With the game heading towards a draw, Diame picks up the ball on the edge of the 18 yard box, and on his right foot, drills a low shot past Petr Cech. Upton Park goes mad, as does the West Ham bench, and Diame sets us up for a famous win against the Russian Blues. Forgotten man, Modibo Maiga, scored a third and West Ham could have a weekend of gloating.
- Gary O’Neil v West Brom (h) – Gary O’Neil has filled the void left by Mark Noble with ease. He has looked very comfortable in the centre of midfield, suggesting that he has been played out of position in the last season and a half.
O’Neil’s passing statistics have been impressive, and his work rate cannot be faulted. He even chipped in with a goal, (chipped being the key word here) against West Brom. O’Neil picked up the ball on the corner of the 18 yard box, looks up to see Foster off of his line, and floats a glorious shot over him, and into the far corner. It was a lovely strike, and one that could be a winner. The technique and flair that O’Neil showed with that goal makes me think we have underestimated him as a player!
- Andy Carroll (2nd) v West Brom – Andy Carroll has finally hit some form in the closing stages of the season. It’s been stop-start for him, but I am hoping that we can find the money to sign him up on a permanent basis. He is known in the press to be a battering ram of a player, someone there to win headers and hold the ball up. But his second goal against West Brom shows that he can play a bit with his feet too. A free kick is won on the half way line, and James Collins floats the ball into the box, over the West Brom defenders. Andy Carroll is watching it all the way, lets it drop over his right shoulder, and with his right foot, volleys it across goal, into the far corner, past a helpless Foster.
Now, tell me why is van Persie’s goal better than Carroll’s? RVP had more time, less defenders around him, had a ball that had come from a wider angle, so not over his shoulder, and was on his strongest foot. Is it because he is Man Utd and Carroll is West Ham? I’ll let you be the judge of that.
- Mohamed Diame v Manchester United (h) – Our most recent contender for goal of the season and it was a belter. Diame seems to have a good habit of scoring against the ‘big boys’ and I think this was his best.
Ricardo Vaz Te gets the ball on the right, and has two Man Utd defenders in front of him. He flicks the ball behind him to Guy Demel who lays the ball into Diame on the corner of the 18 yard box. Diame turns Wayne Rooney who is left for dead due to Diame’s pace and power, and Diame, on his weaker left foot, fires a curling shot around the Man Utd defenders, and into the far corner.
It was a superb strike, so clean and accurate, and against the English Champions, under the lights at Upton Park, it was a special goal.
I have no doubt that if Diame had finished off his ‘Maradona’ style run against Liverpool at Anfield, it would have been our goal of the season, but there are 5 above who are all worthy winners too. What goal would you choose?
COME ON YOU IRONS!!
By Chelmo Hammer
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For sheer quality it has to be Diame v Man U. Not many players can do that