Sunday, October 18

Daily WHUFC News - 18th October 2015

Hammers keep Eagles grounded
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are up to third in the Barclays Premier League after yet
another fantastic away day. The Hammers made it 13 points out of a possible
15 on the road by scoring a deserved 3-1 win over Alan Pardew's ten-man
Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. A second goal in two games from Carl
Jenkinson was followed by late strikes from Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet
as Slaven Bilic's side extended their unbeaten run to six league matches
with a composed and confident performance in south London. The first half
was a dramatic, breathless affair, featuring two goals, a twice-taken
penalty and a red card for Palace striker Dwight Gayle. After just 40
seconds, Dimitri Payet found himself unmarked inside the Palace penalty
area, but he could not quite stretch his right leg far enough to divert a
Manuel Lanzini cross into the bottom corner. Inside the opening ten minutes
Jason Puncheon dragged a low shot well wide before West Ham responded
through the influential figure of Payet. The Frenchman cut inside two
defenders and forced Wayne Hennessey into a low save at his near post. Aaron
Cresswell and James Tomkins then sent efforts off-target, but Jenkinson was
far more accurate as he poked the Hammers into the lead on 22 minutes. Payet
passed square to Victor Moses, who threaded a well-paced through ball
between Scott Dann and left-back Pape Souare for Jenkinson to control and
finish calmly past Wales hero Hennessey. Unfortunately, West Ham's lead
lasted less than three minutes as Jenkinson – perhaps still feeling an
adrenaline rush after his goal – brought down Gayle inside the penalty area.
Yohan Cabaye stepped up and netted, but referee Mark Clattenburg ordered a
re-take for encroachment by Gayle, only for the France midfielder to beat
Adrian for a second time from the spot. The closing 20 minutes of the first
half were, if anything, more thrilling than the opening 25, despite the lack
of further goals. For West Ham, Lanzini, Sakho and former Palace star Victor
Moses all saw efforts fly narrowly past Hennessey's upright, while Zaha
passed up a wonderful opportunity to score after Puncheon had led a
trademark Palace counter-attack. In the midst of all the chances, Gayle was
booked for a late lunge on Payet. When he followed that with a sliding
challenge into the ankle of Cheikhou Kouyate a minute before the break, the
striker was shown a second yellow and sent from the field by Mr Clattenburg.

After such an eventful opening 45 minutes, it was no surprise that the
second half failed to produce the same excitement as the first – until the
final three minutes and added time! Indeed, aside from Diafra Sakho hitting
the outside of the post with a downward header from a Jenkinson cross, the
Hammers failed to work Hennessey as much as Bilic would have liked. Too
often, West Ham's attacks were directed through the heart of the massed
Palace defence and either floundered or ended with a long-range shot being
blocked or flying off-target. Kouyate saw one well-struck shot from distance
charged down by Scott Dann, while substitutes Andy Carroll and Mauro Zarate
both produced efforts that failed to trouble Wales stopper Hennessey. Down
to ten men, Palace played on the counter, but fashioned next to nothing in
terms of clear-cut chances. As it was, Puncheon's wayward curler just after
the break was as close as they came to snatching an unlikely victory. As
time began to run out, West Ham finally made their breakthrough. Zarate
crossed high to the far post, Carroll headed down and a third replacement,
Nikica Jelavic, poked goalward. The ball was blocked but Lanzini was on hand
to smash home from eight yards. Then, to add gloss to the final scoreline,
Zarate combined with fellow countryman Lanzini, who threaded a perfect
through ball for the inimitable Payet, who dummied Hennessey before
nonchalantly clipping the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net.
The final whistle was blown seconds later, met with loud cheers from the
2,900-strong Claret and Blue Army, who cheered their heroes from the pitch
with a chorus of 'There's only one Slaven Bilic'.

Next up are Jose Mourinho and his champions Chelsea at the Boleyn Ground...

Crystal Palace: Hennessey, Kelly, Hangeland, Dann (c), Souare, McArthur
(Jedinak 63), Cabaye (Ledley 77), Bolasie, Zaha (Sako 46), Puncheon, Gayle
Subs not used: McCarthy, Delaney, Bamford, Campbell
Goals: Cabaye (25, pen)
Yellow cards: Gayle (32)
Red cards: Gayle (44)

West Ham United: Adrian, Jenkinson, Collins, Tomkins, Cresswell, Kouyate,
Noble (c) (Carroll 62), Moses (Zarate 74), Lanzini, Payet, Sakho (Jelavic
85)
Subs not used: Randolph, Ogbonna, Obiang, Valencia
Goals: Jenkinson (22), Lanzini (88), Payet (90+4)
Yellow cards: Tomkins (20), Payet (40), Jelavic (90+3)

Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Attendance: 24,812 (2,881 from West Ham United)

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Adrian aiming to extend unbeaten run
WHUFC.com

Ahead of the London derby with high flying Crystal Palace, Hammers'
goalkeeper Adrian said his side's five game unbeaten run has given him and
his teammates plenty of confidence. The Eagles, currently fourth in the
Premier League table, are a point ahead of the Hammers who sit sixth with 14
points. Following the historic away victories away at Arsenal, Liverpool and
Manchester City as well as rescuing a valuable point at Sunderland having
been 2-0 down, the Spaniard is aiming to extend their superb away form.
Adrian said: "Today will be a good game. It's a big game for us because we
are playing really well away from home. Palaces also are confident and in a
good moment, they play very well at home. "We have a lot of confidence going
into this game; coming back from 2-0 down against Sunderland was big,
especially when we weren't playing very well. "Away from home, our
performances have been very consistent. We've had three wins and one draw.
At home we need to improve, we haven't got the results we wanted but I think
they will come."

Assessing the strengths of today's opponents, Adrian is well aware of the
threat Alan Pardew's men pose. Having won five of their opening eight games,
Adrian knows the encounter at Selhurst Park will be a tough affair. "We
know that they are a strong team in defence and on the counter attack they
have very quick players. Players like Yohan Cabaye have given them an extra
quality, Wilfred Zaha too is a very good player. We need to be careful of
their attacking threat."

With the goalkeeper in inspired form of late, the Spaniards impressive
season continued as he recently signed a contract extension.
"I feel really happy here, I renewed my contract here last week so I am
really happy here and so are my family. I have a place here and I feel
really settled, I am enjoying my football. When you are away from home, your
family is very important. "Ever since I arrived in London the West Ham fans
have always given me support and confidence. Everyone knows how good and
passionate West Ham fans are. I have a special relationship with the fans."


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Bilic's travels
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic does not need a packet of travel sickness tablets in his wash
bag these days! The Croatian has led West Ham United to the best away record
in the Barclays Premier League so far this season, taking his tally to 13
points out of a possible 15 with a 3-1 victory at Crystal Palace. Carl
Jenkinson opened the scoring with his second goal in successive matches,
before giving a penalty away just two minutes later. Dwight Gayle was then
sent-off for the Eagles just before half-time, handing the Hammers the
incentive to go on and win the game in the second period. Palace sat deep
and frustrated their visitors for long periods after the break, but West Ham
kept their patience and were rewarded when substitutes Mauro Zarate, Andy
Carroll and Nikica Jelavic combined before Manuel Lanzini fired home with
two minutes remaining. Then, to add gloss to the final score in added time,
Zarate and the outstanding Lanzini combined for Dimitri Payet, who
impudently clipped past Wayne Hennessey to make it four away wins out of
five.

"We played really good, especially in the first half, we started the game
really well and had a great chance in the first minute, to be fair," Bilic
purred to West Ham TV. "When you play Palace they are going to have their
moments because they have the players with pace to make the pitch short, and
they have a great team spirit. Alan Pardew has done a great job here, they
are great in every set piece and that's why they were fourth in the in the
league. "I told the boys on Friday night in the hotel when we were analysing
them that this was the game we were looking forward to the most. OK, Arsenal
and Liverpool are big games, but this is the game against a dangerous team
and I wanted to have respect for them. "You have to defend and be good on
second balls, reactions and in transitions, but I wanted us to come here and
say 'We respect you, but we are good' and we did that from the start of the
game. "Of course the red card helped us in a way because they weren't as
dangerous as they were in the first half, but it created more problems for
us because we couldn't hit them on the break when they weren't organised,
because they were behind the ball. "For that, you need some kind of magic or
you need patience or shots from distance or good crosses, and we were doing
that constantly and switching sides and in the end, it worked! That's why I
am so proud of my players and our Club."

Bilic was asked repeatedly by the media about rising expectations as his
squad continue to impress with their free-scoring form and ability to win on
any ground. But the manager himself says he is not allowing his players to
get carried away. One of them, Lanzini, produced a fabulous individual
display in south London, who scored one goal and set up another late on. "He
is a player, to be fair," the gaffer smiled. "I told you we wanted him last
year at Besiktas and it just didn't work out. I didn't expect him to be that
good straight away. "With South American and then Emirates, he needed time
to settle in, but he surprised me because he clicked straight away. His
ability was there all the time and it shows you that good players are simply
good players. They pull the shirt on and if they are surrounded by good
players and good men in the team, they deliver."

Lanzini's second assist was for Payet, whose calm chip over Wales hero Wayne
Hennessey was a joy to behold and a fitting finale to another memorable away
day. "That's him, to be fair," the manager continued. "We see it every day
in training and he does it so easily, like Demba Ba taking a penalty. He
makes it look so easy!"

Next up for Bilic and the Hammers is the visit of champions Chelsea to the
Boleyn Ground and a personal managerial battle with a certain Jose Mourinho.
"They have to start to play better, because he is the best man for the job.
He is polarising people and opinions but that's what everyone is doing,
talking about Mourinho. "He is going to turn them around and maybe he
already has because they won 2-0 today! I like him and I am looking forward
to that game because it's great to meet Chelsea sitting third in the table."

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Lanzini's hungry for more after Palace win
WHUFC.com

Manuel Lanzini's fantastic start to life with West Ham United continued on
Saturday with another crucial goal. The Argentine struck with two minutes
remaining to give the Hammers a 2-1 lead against a stubborn Crystal Palace
side and pave the way for Dimitri Payet's match-sealing third. Lanzini now
has three goals in nine games since signing on loan from UAE club Al-Jazira
in the summer and was thrilled to play his part in delivering a fourth away
win of the season at Selhurst Park. "I'm very happy for the points and very
happy too because we stay high in the table," he said. "It was also very
pleasing to score. It was a fantastic performance and I just have to keep
going and try to score more goals and give more performances like this one."

The 22-year-old has slotted seamlessly into an attacking unit bursting with
talent and he is excited by the Hammers' potential.
He continued: "I think it is easy to play with players like Payet and Sakho
and I have to work with them together to make sure we fit into how we're
trying to score goals. "I'm very excited to play Chelsea next week. We have
to continue from this performance and try to win against another big team
like Chelsea."

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Crystal Palace 1 West Ham 3
17 October 2015
Last updated at 17:58
By Saj Chowdhury
BBC Sport

West Ham moved into third in the Premier League thanks to two late goals
against 10-man Crystal Palace. The Hammers went in front through Carl
Jenkinson, before Yohan Cabaye made it 1-1 with a twice-taken penalty.
Dwight Gayle, who won the penalty, was shown a second yellow just before the
break for a foul on Cheikhou Kouyate. With two minutes left Manuel Lanzini
drove in before Dimitri Payet dinked his effort over Wayne Hennessey to seal
victory for the Hammers. Palace manager Alan Pardew stuck by his recent
policy of picking one striker up front - and today it was the turn of Gayle,
who was only making his fourth league appearance of the season. The
24-year-old, who opted not to join Bristol City in the summer after an offer
was accepted, was looking to impress his boss but ended up being a little
over-zealous in his efforts. The warning signs were there when he brought
down Payet, earning him a yellow card. Within moments he nudged Hammers
keeper Adrian after the ball had gone out of play, and then came the second
caution. Some will say it was soft, but he did catch Kouyate late, treading
on top of the midfielder's foot. With a one-match ban to serve, he may find
it hard to force his way back into the starting line-up with the likes of
Connor Wickham, Fraizer Campbell, Bakary Sako and Patrick Bamford all vying
for inclusion.

The Hammers only managed four shots on target in the entire match, from
which they scored three times. Playing against 10-man Palace in the second
half, they only conjured up eight efforts on goal - the same as in the first
45 minutes. The late, late show was purely down to Palace players tiring and
West Ham having enough craft to break their resolve, with Lanzini central to
the home side's downfall.
After slamming home the second, Lanzini then played a delightful pass for
Payet's deft strike. They were the only two efforts on target the Hammers
managed after the break, but the Slaven Bilic's men made them count.

Opta
Lanzini attempted 90 passes, completing 84 in this game. No West Ham player
has completed as many passes in a single Premier League game since November
2013 (Noble completed 92 v Aston Villa on 02/11/2013).
Man of the match - Manuel Lanzini (West Ham)

Manuel Lanzini
Manuel Lanzini, 22, started the game but saved his most telling
contributions for the final minutes - could he become a permanent signing
for the Hammers?

What the managers said
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew: "I'm frustrated with the decision
(Gayle's red card). "Our striker gets booked for a bad challenge, quite
rightly. The second challenge, the referee knows he's booked, he's missed it
by a centimetre probably and he sends him off.
"I thought a man of his experience perhaps should have looked at that
situation and given him his final warning. But to send him off really
spoiled the occasion for everybody. "I'm not excusing him from complete
blame. The second challenge, he shouldn't make. He'll have to learn from
that. Having said that, I still think it was very harsh to send him off. "In
the second half, we've had to show our typical Crystal Palace resilience. We
dug in and it looked like we'd get the point that perhaps we deserved for
the effort that we put in. but fair play to West Ham. They kept knocking and
found a way."

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: "We knew it was going to be a hard game. I
said that before the game - this was the game I was looking forward to the
most. "Palace are playing as a team, they have pace and a lot of front
players who can make the pitch very short. They are what a manager wants his
team to be. "It was a big test for us, but the way we approached it from the
beginning, with respect for them but with confidence passing the ball, I'm
so proud. "So far for me, it's the proudest moment because of the way we did
it."

The stats you need to know

Jenkinson has two goals in seven Premier League apps this season, compared
to one in 69 appearances before this campaign.
Cabaye became only the fourth player in Premier League history to score a
penalty in four successive appearances (Ian Wright 1994, Ruud van Nistelrooy
2003, Michael Owen 2003).
West Ham have scored 12 goals in five away Premier League games this term,
netting at least twice in all five of them.
Payet has had a hand in 15 goals (six goals, nine assists) in his last 17
league appearances (Premier League and Ligue 1 combined).
What next?
High-flying Hammers face a home match against "struggling" Chelsea next
Saturday, while Palace face Leicester away on the same day.

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Jenkinson disappointed with penalty decision
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 17th October 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham right back Carl Jenkinson believes he was unlucky to concede a
penalty at Selhurst Park today - but delighted with West Ham's 3-1 win.
Jenkinson scored West Ham's opening goal - his second in successive matches
- before conceding a penalty 90 seconds later when he was adjudged to have
felled Dwight Gayle by referee Mark Clattenburg. And despite being
disappointed by the referee's decision, the on-loan defender revealed that
he was delighted with the three points that ensured West Ham remain unbeaten
away from home in the Premier League this season. "We're just playing really
good football and it's a pleasure to be a part of it at the moment,"
Jenkinson said after the game. "We're playing with freedom, we're playing
with confidence and have players like Dimi who are producing week in, week
out. "It was fantastic to get on the scoresheet again but personally I felt
it was a harsh penalty. "He {Gayle] stuck his leg across me, we collided
and he [Clattenburg] has given a penalty which is frustrating. But we
carried on and got two in the second half and turned it around, which is
fantastic."

And Jenkinson's delight was echoed by the aforementioned Dimitri Payet who
was also on the scoresheet, grabbing the game's final goal deep into
added-on time. "It's good for me and the team," said the French midfielder.
"It's very important to have a good defence and we have lots of options in
attack. This team has a lot of quality and a lot of goals in it."

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Crystal Palace 1-3 West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 17th October 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham's unbeaten run away from home in the Premier League this season
continued at Selhurst Park this afternoon thanks to two late goals from
Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet. Slaven Bilic's side made it 13 points
from a possible 15 away from the Boleyn this term - but were forced to wait
until the final few minutes of the game to condemn ten-man Palace to defeat
in front of their own fans. Carl Jenkinson got Bilic's side off to the
perfect start with an opening goal on 22 minutes when finishing smartly from
close range. However Palace were level within 90 seconds when the right-back
felled Dwight Gayle inside the penalty area at the other end of the field.
Although Yohan Cabaye was forced to retake his penalty, Adrian was unable to
stop either effort - despite coming perilously close to making it four
Premier League penalty saves in succession by getting a hand to the French
international's second effort. The game turned dramatically in West Ham's
favour two minutes ahead of half time when Gayle was dismissed for a second
bookable offence by referee Mark Clattenburg. And despite Palace playing for
the entire second half with a man less, it looked as if they would escape
with a point - until Lanzini struck two minutes from the end of normal time
from no more than eight yards out, following a good move by the Hammers.
Payet added the cherry on the cake deep into added-on time when coolly
lifting the ball over Palace 'keeper Hennessey with Palace caught out whilst
searching for an equaliser. It was no more than West Ham deserved, having
created 25 attempts at goal to Palace's six.
The three points take West Ham back above Palace and into the top three once
again, just four points behind current league leaders Manchester City and
two behind second placed Manchester United.

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Alan Pardew: Mark Clattenburg got Dwight Gayle sending off wrong
Last Updated: 17/10/15 6:20pm
SSN

Alan Pardew says referee Mark Clattenburg got Dwight Gayle's dismissal for a
second yellow card wrong as 10-man Palace lost 3-1 against West Ham. Gayle
was sent off on the stroke of half-time for a late foul on Cheikhou Kouyate,
having received an earlier booking for bringing down Dimitri Payet.
Clattenburg was left with the simple decision to dismiss Gayle with the
score at 1-1, but Palace boss Pardew insists it spoiled the game, and that
the home support were right to jeer the referee. "I think the referee is
really harsh to send him off. The first tackle is a bad one, the second one
he has missed the ball by a fraction, and that's enough to get a second
yellow when you know the player has been booked. "I think he's got to use a
bit of common sense there. I thought the fans had it just about right about
Mark today. "It was a really great game until the sending off, the referee
has spoiled the game." Pardew nevertheless praised his side for holding off
West Ham for most of the second half, before goals from Manuel Lanzini and
Payet gave the visitors all three points. "The sending off was obviously
significant in the result. It's very difficult to play for 60 minutes with
10 men. That changed the game. "I thought they were magnificent, the 10 that
tried to see it out. We hardly gave them a chance, but they've got through
at the death. "We always respond well. They're a good side West Ham, and so
are we."

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Crystal Palace 1-3 West Ham: Hammers leave it late to beat 10-man Palace
By Gerard Brand
Last Updated: 17/10/15 7:10pm
SSN

West Ham moved up into the Champions League places with a 3-1 win over
10-man Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Carl Jenkinson put West Ham ahead in
the 22nd minute, before Palace midfielder Yohan Cabaye equalised from the
spot just moments later. After winning the penalty, Dwight Gayle went from
hero to zero before half-time, receiving a second yellow for a needless foul
on Cheikhou Kouyate.
The Hammers left it late to retake the lead, Manuel Lanzini scoring two
minutes from time from close range, before Dimitri Payet finished deep in
stoppage time for 3-1. The result leaves West Ham on 17 points from their
nine games, and the win was their fourth away success of the season. After a
frantic start, the visitors took the lead through defender Jenkinson, who
was found superbly behind the defence by Victor Moses, before slotting under
Wayne Hennessey from 12 yards. But a minute later Jenkinson was at fault for
bringing down Gayle just inside the area, allowing Cabaye the chance to
equalise from the penalty spot. He scored, but Mark Clattenburg ordered a
retake after blatant infringement from Gayle, and on the second attempt
Cabaye found the net again despite Adrian getting a hand to the Frenchman's
penalty. Palace had a fine chance to take the lead before half-time, but
Puncheon's centre to an unmarked Wilfried Zaha was slightly behind the
winger, and they went into the break with 10 men after Gayle's second
booking. First, the forward cynically brought down Payet in midfield, and
then 13 minutes later went flying in on Kouyate deep inside the West Ham
half, catching the midfielder for a clear second yellow. West Ham piled on
the pressure in the second half, hitting the post through Diafra Sakho's
effort after Jenkinson's cross, but the introduction of striker Andy Carroll
was telling. With two minutes remaining, Carroll nodded down a cross towards
Lanzini, who smashed home from eight yards to put Slaven Bilic's side ahead
again. And there was time for another goal through Payet, who picked up
Lanzini's through ball before chipping over the onrushing Hennessey.

Player ratings

Crystal Palace: Hennessey (6); Kelly (6), Dann (6), Hangeland (6), Souare
(6); Cabaye (7), McArthur (5); Zaha (5), Puncheon (6), Bolasie (6); Gayle
(4).

Subs: Ledley (5), Jedinak (5), Sako (5)

West Ham: Adrian (6), Jenkinson (6), Collins (7), Tomkins (7), Cresswell
(7), Kouyate (7), Noble (8), Moses (8), Lanzini (8), Payet (8), Sakho (6)

Subs: Carroll (7), Zarate (6), Jelavic (6)

Man of the match: Manuel Lanzini

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Slaven Bilic remaining realistic despite guiding West Ham into top four
Last Updated: 17/10/15 7:06pm
SSN

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic is remaining realistic despite seeing his side
move up to the Champions League places with a 3-1 win at Crystal Palace.
West Ham earned their fourth away win of the campaign at Selhurst Park
against 10-man Palace, scoring two late goals to wrap up the three points.
Bilic is keen to remind fans only nine games have passed in the Premier
League, but praised his side's patience in finally taking the lead two
minutes from time through Manuel Lanzini. Bilic said: "Unfortunately it is
only October, not May. It would be great if it was June. "We are trying to
play good football, and we don't have targets. Our target is first to stay
in the league. This is a very dangerous league. "Some clubs started great,
or started bad, and suddenly they're in trouble, or they're flying now, and
it's only been nine games. "We're going to continue to play good football,
to defend with numbers and attack with numbers."Despite earning wins at
Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City so far this season, Bilic said the trip to
Palace was their biggest test of the season, and admits the sending off of
Dwight Gayle just before half-time for a second booking helped his side.
"Every win in the Premier League is great," added Bilic. "I told the guys
last night that we and my staff were looking at this game as our biggest
test. "Of course the red card helped us, but I think we were the better side
in the first half anyway. "Praise goes to the players, they've done the
job."

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CRYSTAL PALACE 1, WEST HAM 3. A TELLING VICTORY.
By David Hautzig 17 Oct 2015 at 19:13
WTID

The last time I watched a game in my home without a notepad and pen was the
3-1 win last season at Selhurst Park. I was able to jump up and down after
Zarate's volley without taking note on how the ball came to him. Same for
Downing and Cole. I was also able to walk away in fear when Palace drew one
back. A few days later, Sean and Iain proposed their absurd idea of an
American wine salesman writing match reports and here I am. Enjoying another
win at Selhurst Park by the same scoreline. Last year's result took the
pressure off the opening week loss to Spurs, when I'm sure many of us saw a
relegation battle on the horizon. This year it's different. Just how
different is yet to be determined.

The very idea of West Ham midfielders running at defenders to create chances
in recent years has been like the opposing political parties in either of
our countries getting together to discuss issues and compromise on
solutions. You know it's a good idea that would often be effective, yet you
know it won't happen. In the opening seconds of the match, Collins
intercepted a pass and fed Payet, who then passed to Noble. The captain one
timed it to Lanzini down the left side. After a speedy half field run, The
Jewel turned toward the box, took on Dann, and found Payet in the box but
the pass was slightly in front of Payet and he couldn't reach it.

The hosts got their first taste of attack in the 6th minute when Cabaye,
West Ham's backup plan to Payet, won a free kick on an interception. The
ensuing set piece found Puncheon in the box but his shot went wide.

West Ham came back down the other end minutes later with Sakho winning the
ball back at the top of the Crystal Palace penalty area and laying off for
Payet. The French Superhero cut to his left and fired a low shot that didn't
trouble Hennessey. I was looking for a Cognac pun there but couldn't think
of anything. Wanted you all to know.

The only name on the starting eleven that made me nervous was Ginge. And to
be fair, he had a good game and looked reasonably comfortable on the ball
when he needed to play it out. But in the 10th minute, stomachs all over the
West Ham universe fluttered when Bolasie surged into the area on the right
and sent a low cross into the box that went right through Collins as he
attempted to clear. Puncheon was there and tried to get a shot off but it
was blocked before Payet was able to release the pressure.

In the 16th minute Hangeland fouled Sakho 25 yards from goal, but
Cresswell's free kick missed by miles. Minutes later Sakho won a corner off
Dann, and Payet's delivery found Tomkins at the far post but his header went
wide. JT might have been thinking too much about that missed chance because
a minute later Gayle got behind him and a long pass was headed his way.
Tomkins turned and pulled Gayle down for a free kick and yellow card.
Puncheon sent the free kick into the box but Adrian was able to clear.

I'm not going to get caught up in The West Ham Way conversation. One, I
wasn't around for Greenwood, Lyall or even Bonds. What I will get caught up
is the desire to employ players who are good on the ball and can
occasionally inspire. We have that now, and it was the reason for the
opening goal. Lanzini got the ball on the left and sent a short pass to
Payet, who took a few steps to his right before rolling the ball to Moses.
Jenkinson made his move around Zaha, and Moses sent a through ball into the
box. The pass was gorgeous. The finish was even better as Jenkinson rolled
it under Hennessy with the outside of his right foot.

Crystal Palace 0, West Ham 1.

The road from hero to goat was pretty quick for Jenks, because a minute
later he took down Gayle at the top of the box and Palace were awarded a
penalty. The Backup Plan stepped up and put it past Adrian, but the goal was
waved off and the penalty had to be re-taken because Gayle had run into the
box six yards ahead of the ball. On the second attempt, Adrian got a hand on
it but couldn't keep it out. Gayle did it again but this time was only a
couple of yards in and I guess Clattenburg showed mercy and let the second
goal stand.

West Ham went on the attack trying to regain the lead. In the 29th minute,
Sakho started a counter on the right and sent a cross into Payet but his
shot was blocked by Kelly and out for a corner. The initial set piece was
cleared by Dann but only as far as Moses, who raced down the wing and
crossed to Sakho but his shot was deflected out for another corner by
Hangelaand. The final shot of the barrage came from Moses but it went high
and out for a goal kick.

In the 32nd minute, Gayle took down Payet with a nasty challenge and was
shown yellow. At the time, I didn't think it would be noteworthy that an
advanced player with pace like Gayle was booked. Ten minutes later, Palace
had their best, and last, opportunity to score a second goal. Puncheon got
on the end of a long pass and had nothing but green in front of him. With
Zaha available unmarked in the box a decent pass would have led to an almost
certain goal. But the pass was far less than decent and Palace will look
back and see that as a blown chance. Which was made worse two minutes later
when Gayle dove in stupidly on Kouyate and was shown red for a second yellow
in twelve minutes.

West Ham tried to jump on the man advantage quickly, and in added time
Lanzini showed good skill to chest the ball over the defender and set
himself up for a volley which went wide. Seconds later Jenkinson sent a hard
cross through the goalmouth that Sakho couldn't get to.

Halftime. Crystal Palace 1, West Ham 1.

To their credit, Palace did not come out for the second half trying to hold
on to the point from the get go. In the opening minutes, they enjoyed a good
spell of possession in the West Ham half but couldn't find a way through
apart from a long attempt by Bolasie from the top of the box.

In the 57th minute, after Payet sprayed passes around in hope of a finding a
breach, Kouyate tried a shot from the top of the box that was blocked by
Dann. Minutes later Kouyate started a counter on the left that included
chipping the ball over a sliding Dann and then hurdling over him. But his
dribbling deserted him and he lost the ball to Hangelaand.

At this part of a match away from home, we had come to expect a defensive
substitution with a point in hand. Even with the opposition down to ten men.
Instead, we got Andy Carroll for Mark Noble to add a different dimension to
the attack, and to give the Palace defenders even more to think about. It
almost paid off a minute later when Jenkinson sent a cross into the box,
where both Sakho and Carroll were waiting. Sakho got his head on it, but his
attempt skimmed off the post and out for a goal kick. Minutes later, a Payet
corner found Carroll's noggin in the box but this one also went out for a
goal kick.

The next fifteen minutes shared the same theme. West Ham had the majority of
possession, and Palace defended admirably. Cresswell won a corner that went
short to Payet, but his cross was awful. Moses and Lanzini combined to win a
corner that was cleared by Hangelaand. Lanzini ran at the defense and beat a
handful of them but couldn't get a shot off. Zarate came on and shot when he
should have passed. Even Carroll tried a long range blast. I started to
count the minutes we played against ten men without a goal and assumed this
report would need to address that.

Wrong.

There are those that see our new style of play and think there is no room
for an Andy Carroll. I have steadfastly disagreed with that and even went so
far as to say the big man will flourish under Bilic. That isn't what
happened in the 88th minute, but to minimize Carroll's contribution to the
winner or even the flow of the game since his entry would be to miss the
point entirely. Zarate had the ball on the right and sent a looping cross
into the box. The kind of play that was the hallmark of our offense under
Allardyce. Now it's an option, and Carroll made the most of it by winning
the header and knocking it down for Lanzini to drill home.

Crystal Palace 1, West Ham 2.

If West Ham hoofed the ball up field the final two minutes plus four minutes
of injury time, nobody would have begrudged them for doing it. Except maybe
Slaven Bilic. Perhaps that's why they took another opportunity to counter
and score again. Zarate to Lanzini to Payet, finished off with a dummy and a
dink over Hennessy. Three players that would never have seen the light of
day the past few years.

Final Score. Crystal Palace 1, West Ham 3.

Wins at Arsenal, Liverpool, and City were wonderful moments for us to watch
and share. But to my way of thinking, today was more significant. Palace and
West Ham are teams trying to rise to the top of the "second" Premier League.
And while I know Palace were down a man for over half the match, I don't
remember them testing Adrian before Gayle exited. We will never know if the
outcome would have been different had both teams remained at full strength.
What I do know is we have players who could win such a match, and a manager
who would try to win such a match.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Crystal Palace 1-3 West Ham: 5 things we learned as late Lanzini and Payet
strikes seal the points
0 COMMENTS 17:15, 17 OCT 2015 UPDATED 17:19, 17 OCT 2015
BY NEIL MCLEMAN
Two late goals saw Slaven Bilic's men nab all three points at the last as
Dwight Gayle saw red for the hosts
The Mirror

Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet scored late goals to deny ten-man Crystal
Palace a battling point after Dwight Gayle was sent off in the first half.
The Hammers took the lead after 22 minutes when Carl Jenkinson slotted home
from a Victor Moses pass. But the on-loan Arsenal full-back gave away a
penalty less than two minutes later when his clumsy challenge brought down
Gayle. Yohan Cabaye then had to re-take his penalty – and score again –
after the former Peterborough striker encroached in front of referee Mark
Clattenburg. Gayle was then booked for a foul on Dimitri Payet after 32
minutes. And after getting involved in a shouting match with West Ham
keeper, he was sent off after 44 minutes. Wilfried Zaha, who was at fault
for Jenkinson's goal, was hooked at half-time as organised Palace weathered
wave after wave of West Ham attacks. The match looked to be heading a
stalemate until the 88th-minute goal involving all three attacking subs
Slaven Bilic threw on. Mauro Zarate crossed for Andy Carroll to head back
into the six-yard box and as Nikica Jelavic was challenged, on-loan
Argentine Lanzini smashed home the loose ball. And in injury-time, Lanzini
set up Payet for a sublime dink over Wayne Hennessey.

Here are five things we learned:

West Ham are the away-day specialists with lots of attacking options
Winning at Selhurst Park these days is almost as impressive as taking three
points from Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. This was a different
victory as Slaven Bilic's side played over half of the game against ten men
and Palace sat in and defended after the break. But the West Ham boss tried
everything and his three subs helped changed the game while new summer
additions Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet had the class to break the
deadlock.
With Connor Wickham and Marouane Chamakh out injured, this was another
chance for the £6m signing to claim the centre-forward's shirt. He blew it.
In his event-filled 44 minutes, Gayle won the penalty but then caused Yohan
Cabaye's penalty to be re-taken after encroaching and then got himself sent
off before half-time for two silly fouls in 12 minutes. Mark Clattenburg had
no choice but to send him off despite the anger of the home support. After
he serves his ban, Gayle might have to wait a while to start another match.
The England winger was hooked again at half-time by Alan Pardew – he
suffered the same fate at Tottenham last month. The former Manchester United
star was caught ball-watching when Carl Jenkinson ran behind him for the
West Ham goal. His flick did lead to Palace's penalty but he contributed
little else.

Same for Carl Jenkinson
Carl Jenkinson celebrates scoring his team's first goalOn song: Carl
Jenkinson celebrates his opener The on-loan Arsenal full-back finished
sublimely with the outside of his right foot for the opening goal – his
second in two games. But less than two minutes later, he made a rash
challenge on Dwight Gayle to give a away the spot kick and the lead he
gained. He continued to raid down the right flank after the break.

Even for a Frenchman, Yohan Cabaye is very cool
Yohan Cabaye celebrates scoring his team's first goal with his team mates
James McArthur and Wilfried ZahaYohan Cabaye celebrates scoring his team's
first goal with his team mates James McArthur and Wilfried Zaha The Palace
midfielder beat Adrian once from the spot – only to have to re-take the
penalty because Dwight Gayle had encroached right in front of referee Mark
Clattenburg. The former Newcastle and PSG playmaker stepped and sent his
second penalty the other side despite the West Ham keeper getting two hands
to the ball.

Player ratings:
Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1): Hennessey 7; Kelly 5, Hangeland 5, Dann 6, Souare
5, McArthur (Jedinak, 63), Cabaye 6 (Ledley,77, 5), Bolasie 6, Zaha 5 (Sako,
46), Puncheon 5, Gayle 4 (s/o 44).

West Ham (4-5-1): Adrian 7; Jenkinson 7, Collins 7, Tomkins 6, Cresswell 6;
Kouyate 7, Noble 6 (Carroll, 62,6), Moses 7 (Zarate, 74,6), Lanzini 7, Payet
7, Sakho 6 (Jelavic, 85,5).

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lanzini deal confirmed
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 17, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Manuel Lanzini's top performance has again raised the big question among
Hammers fans – do we have a deal in place to buy the player?
ClaretandHugh revealed over a week again that there is indeed a deal agreed
with his parent club Al Jazira and David Gold confirmed to us again this
evening that the decision will be made at the end of the season. He
explained to us: "There is no reason for any anxiety. As is always the case,
we will make our decision just before or at the end of the season. All the
details have been arranged." ClaretandHugh has learned that the fee is
believed to be in the region of £5-£6 million. Slaven Bilic has declared his
admiration for the player explaining that he has made a real impact and that
he and Dimi Payet are a real force. Gold had revealed earlier on the offiial
website: "We have an option on him at the end of the season and you need to
see him over the whole year and see someone perform at this level on a
consistent basis. But if he keeps putting in the displays that we are seeing
at the moment, then the manager will keep picking him."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Such a change as players salute joyful fans!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 17, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

An enthusiastic and long time member of the ClaretandHugh Facebook forum
picked up on a highly significant moment at Selhurst Park this afternoon.
It's the sort of thing that goes unnoticed at the end of a fabulous – if
late – victory but Mark John Candler brought to the attention of other
members and we believe it deserves a wider audience. Mark, thrilled of
course with the 3-1 win was even more chuffed to see the reaction of the
players to our great fans as they celebrated at the end. He wrote: "You know
what was great at the end, players coming over to the fans and giving them
their shirts, a totally different attitude all round. And that comes from
the top a ex player who know how important the fans are, how they are the
12th man at times, the reason why they are in the job they are!!

Another tiny part of our legendary 'west ham way' coyi And another member –
Pete Eddie Gavin – put my own feelings about the new Irons perfectly when he
said: " Don't have the words for how much I'm enjoying this season. "But
suffice to say I've been supporting the Hammers for 44 years and this year
it feels like I'm that kid again, who couldn't wait for the weekend so he
could watch his heroes… COYI'S !!!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Leroy savages Gayle's penalty "con" job
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 17, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Leroy Rosenior tore into sent off Dwight Gale after "conning" a penalty out
of Mark Clattenberg at Selhurst Park this afternoon. And he believes the
striker got exactly what he deserved when send off just before half time
after bringing down Chiek Kouyate. ClaretandHugh's chief analyst Leroy said:
"He stuck his foot in exactly the spot he knew Carl was going to kick the
ball. It's the oldest oldest trick in the book and it was never a penalty in
a million years. I'm very surprised that Mark Clatternberg fell for it.
"I was delighted the Hammers won the game – they deserved it all day long –
and I can't say I wasn't disappointed when Gayle got sent off. "It was a
naughy trick for the penalty and a nasty challenge. He deserved to be sent
from the field of play."

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