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Issa Diop's Redemption In Hammers 3-1 Win Against Dons

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Tue, 28/08/2018 - 23:56

Manuel Pellegrini was a happy and to some extent a relieved man as he saw his West Ham team overcome a stalwart and obdurate AFC Wimbledon side in a tense 2nd round Elk Cup tie, the relief element being the fact that Hammers conceded Wimbledon's goal from a set play within the first ninety seconds of the game. Even after going down to ten men the Don's didn't make it easy for their Premier League opponents in any way shape or form, some of their physical nature would not have been tolerated within the safe confines of the 'upper echelon' but this was a full blooded cup tie.

After 'gifting' the home side their goal Hammers set about gaining their equaliser and so began a relentless pursuit of the Don's goal, a task made apparently easier by the dismissal for a second yellow card to their main defender. This should have been the portent of floodgates opening, but it didn't instead Hammers laboured long and hard but couldn't find the killer punch, then up stepped Issa Diop, fresh from a potentially debilitating first team debut against Arsenal during which he unluckily conceeded an own goal, the 21 year old frenchman raced forward and launched a 25 yard swerving screamer in to the back of the net! Not content with that he then crashed a header of the bar 90 seconds later that would have sealed the victory there and then.

Ultimately Hammers had to wait until Angelo Agbonna steered in the second goal before they could relax, and when a largely profiligate Javier Hernandez finally managed to dance past the Don's beleagured defence and slot home the third from an acute angle it was smiles all round for the 500 Hammers fans who had managed to get tickets. It could be argued that the Dons were unlucky to have had their player sent off for what looked like a relatively innocuous challenge on Chicharito, but the home side had set out their stall early doors, and it defintely wasn't cricket!

Several players got a good run out tonight, Cresswell in particular as well as Yarmolenko who might have had a hat trick on another night, as could have Hernandez. A win is a win and make no mistake the happy dressing room 'vibe' will stand the team in good stead. It is indeed a compliment to AFC Wimbledon's commitment that Manuel Pellegrini felt compelled to bring Felipe Anderson on for the yellow carded Pedro Obiang at the beginning of the second half in order to ensure his side's victory over what was after all a League One team.

Whatever way you look at it Hammers are into the next round without having to go through the stress of penalties or the labours of extra time given the new format of the League Cup.- Ed

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Im going to take back what I have said about Snodgrass,being a championship player and always a yard or so behind,as through the losses so far in the league this season, he has stood out,and am sure he will start scoring goals,he has been top stuff.

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54 users have voted.

I was on pins and needles for the first half and part of the second half until Diop's superb strike. It took West Ham over 300 minutes to score a goal from open play since the start of the season. Then Ogbonna's winner really sealed it. All in all a lot of wasted opportunities by the Hammers, similar to the Arsenal match. Have to give Wimbledon credit for defending so passionately when they were down to ten men. Can West Ham dominate the Premier League matches like they did in this match?? Still require another clinical striker to partner Arnautovic. Antonio and Yarmalenko should not be too selfish when all they need to do is set up the final strike on goal and not go all out themselves. That is how Man City and Liverpool operate and can rattle in half a dozen or so goals per game.

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40 users have voted.
moore 6 legend's picture

Amazing what can happen when a manager believes in you and plays you,has heart and fights all he can while on the pitch,early days I know but he’s playing with a point to prove.

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52 users have voted.

To be totally honest. DITM, he had a decent game nothing more nothing less. Not even trying to sound harsh but I feel people are to blinded by his work rate. If there was one player that looks totally out of his depth though ,its Hernandez, shouldve got shot of him and bought a new striker.

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64 users have voted.

Tbh nev, hes one of the laziest players ive seen pull on a west ham shirt. Theres a reason Moyes wasnt playing him.

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38 users have voted.
hammergirl's picture

I have too say the defence worried me and that was against div 1 opposition if they had kept all eleven players on the pitch I am not so sure we would of won.We did and that's good but ogbonna blowing hot n cold the lad diopp scored a great goal but he looks like someone who needs to adjust fast to football in this country.
Snodgrass played well but against inferior opposition that's easy lets see him keep it up for this weekend and a decidedly tricky fixture against wolves

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52 users have voted.

I think its a confidence thing with him ,he doesnt have any ,
One or two goals would do him the power of good

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50 users have voted.

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