You are here

Well That's Ruined Christmas Deeney Panto Villain Hum Bug

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Sat, 22/12/2018 - 18:09

A goal from Hammers nemesis Troy Deeney via a penalty and a late Gerard Deulofeu strike inflicted West Ham's first defeat since November in the final home game of 2018 at the London Stadium. The 'feel good' factor was there courtesy of both defences but it was a rare and potentially very costly error from 'the General' Fabian Balbuena that led to Watford's first goal.

Balbuena's challenge on Roberto Pereyra not only gifted the visitors a penalty, but more importantly saw the centre back substituted with what looks like a nasty injury. Hammers had made a strong start, with both Michail Antonio and Pablo Zabaleta finding a lot of space and time to attackdown the right, but despite being largely in control of the ball whenever the visitors found their way into the final third, things looked to go wrong and Watford began to peg West Ham back. Roberto Pereyra had a shot on target that was blocked by Mark Noble, but it was only a portent of what was to come.

Pereyra via a one-two with Deulofeu, was then subjected to a poor challenge from the usually reliable Balbuena, who collided the back of the player’s leg, conceding the pen and picking up his injury in the process. This was not what was expected but that which many of a certain age feared! Hammers nemesis Deeney stepped up and ended Lukasz Fabianski run of five consecutive penalty stops, sending him the wrong way with a shot in to the top corner. Deeney did his image little in glory as he aimed his celebration straight at the Hammers fans whose team, after a 4-2 win two years ago, he thanked for ‘showboating’ and credited them with giving his team the motivation to go on and win, he had a plastic cup thrown towards him from the stands which in the current climate will doubtless be blown out of all proportion and will hide what an odious character he really is on the pitch.

Things might have been different just before the break as Felipe Anderson swung an inch perfect cross over for Antonio, his header found Javier Hernandez but he scuffed his effort and didn't really trouble Ben Foster, who tipped the shot wide. Antonio so nearly had Hammers level just after the break as he rose to meet Snodgrass’ corner at the near post, only to see it come back off the upright on the far side, which in a way summed up the game, sooner or later some of the good luck the team has had was going to evaporate and today was the day that Hammers luck left the building.

Watford looked set fair until Andy Carroll was introduced in place of Mark Noble, they then proceeded to play a brand of anti-footbal the game had up until then not deserved, who needs a pantomime when you have so many 'fairies' falling over? Anderson who had been on the receiving end of a bit of Watford's 'physicality' supressing the recent brilliance he has shown in the last month or two, so nearly enabled Chicharito to score and the game should have been level. Andy Carroll clipped the ball towards Anderson, who trapped it with the outside of his foot and left Kiko Femenia for dead and then with a flick of his right boot squared for Hernandez who was five yards out, he spun, missed the ball and fell to the ground knowing he had just blown a golden opportunity.

Chicharito had a further chance to redeem himself after doing well to beat Christian Kabasele in the box, but he hesitated, and was denied. Doucoure, having just had a shot saved by Fabianski, took advantage of Henandez's daliance before pulling the trigger and poked the ball behind for a corner. That would be Hernandez’s last chance, he was replaced by youngster Grady Diangana moments later. Luck was not going to be on Hammers side as Snodgrass’ deflected header was pushed into the path of Michail Antonio who, with the entire goal gaping guided his headed effort on to Ben Foster’s bar.

A home goal goal was surely coming, and Hammers deserved at least a point after a far improved second half, but then Watford out muscled and out niggled Hammers once more, Pereyra passed to Deulofeu who had raced into the penalty area and slotted past Fabianski, an ugly win but three points sealed for the visitors. Manuel Pellegrini had spoken of top six ambitions ahead of the match, and the long term plan will be to reach the heights of European qualification, but Watford's agricultural approach will have reminded Hammers of their limits.

The visitors will leave happy with a job well done, but we know which style of play Hammers should aspire to, and it definitley is not that of Watford's, had Chicharito had his shooting boots on today Hammers could and should have been in sixth position in the Barclays Premier League, instead they find themselves in tweflth. - Ed Cold and miserable from the London Stadium, Happy bloody Christmas- Bah Humbug!

Share

Comments

metbobby1's picture

I had an uneasy feeling about this game and it proved to be correct. I don’t like Watford’s brand of football and ESPECIALLY Deeney! Once the penalty was given away, compounded by Balbuena’s injury, it wasn’t going to be our day. A possible 6th place turning into 12th is very disappointing. Hopefully it’s not our usual ‘Christmas Curse’ kicking in once again. COYI!!!!!

up
50 users have voted.
mcbikeman's picture

Its what west ham do so who is surprised really?..Not just the fact it was Watford but playing at Home i am just not confident at all...sad to say for the players it still looks like an Alien place to play football and we are vulnerable against any visiting side as they can smell it....Southampton i expect to lose with Austin ramming sullivans words back down his throat again and Burnley poor as they are i can see us losing that one as to! knee jerk reaction mmm no just a realist..we got lucky last weekend against Fulham we are carrying a lot of injuries to key players and we are by no means the finished article...not worried about being Relegated for a change but mid table is the best we can hope for right now which is not so bad after past couple of seasons.

up
71 users have voted.
Dartford Bhoy's picture

I think we have to mention the referring. This was the worst I have seen at the LS this season. We got nothing and it all stemmed from the free kick we had and the way in which our players insisted, as is their right, that the wall retreat 10 yards and that the ref had to mark it. After that little embarrassment he gave us nothing.

up
72 users have voted.
moore2come's picture

He should have done us a favour and sent himself off! This guy is a particular jinx for us, 3-2 defeat to Southampton sending Arnie off for a totally fair elbow, 3-2 defeat at home to Newcastle, 3-0 defeat in the infamous Burnley game at LS and a 4-1 drubbing from Arsenal.

up
84 users have voted.

Look at these comments:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQKpPuUCGt0

Well the referee made a couple of blunders although not to that extent. He first could not measure the yardage for West Ham's free kick just outside the box. The wall was barely 5 yards away. In the second half the free kick in West Ham's favour should have been retaken as the opposition player broke the wall before the free kick was taken. But apart from that, it was not to be West Ham's day. But the Watford keeper was the Man of The Match in the manner in which he saved Antonio's strike on target.

up
73 users have voted.

That fekin ref was taking the pis he got pissed off with us complaining about the distance of the wall so in a huff he just walked up to where the ball was and marked it then as if to say fuck you lot he calmly walked to where they were standing and sprayed his shaving foam along their toes

up
92 users have voted.

Burkie 1

Next Fixture(s)