The Hammers took advantage of a slip by title rivals Southampton tonight, with a performance that ran from treacle like to sweet as candy floss. Derby were the visitors and after a bright start by the home team, it was the Rams making the Hammers look like they had been counting sheep. An early goal following a lapse by the hitherto dependable James Tomkins gave them the lead and it wasn’t until Carlton Cole’s goal just before half time that the Hammers started to assert themselves again.
Fortunately, the second half was significantly better, with possession football resulting in a cracking volley by Kevin Nolan to put us in the lead and a Mark Noble penalty finished off any resurgence by derby. By the end, the Hammers were strolling and it felt like we would finish them off by four or five, but 3-1 it ended, putting us just 2 points behind the Saints.
Okay, on to the player check, and Julien Faubert was deservedly Sponsor Man of the Match with the likewise excellent Carlton Cole getting the champers from Sky Sports. James Tomkins had a day to forget, while Jack Collison looked like he was coming back to form. Here are the numbers....
Green – 6 – not very busy apart from picking the ball out of the net, but was in control when needed
Mccartney – 6 – pushed forward quite a bit, but something missing defensively tonight
Tomkins – 5 - a poor performance by the high standards he has set himself this season, error of judgement for their goal and almost repeated the trick in the 2nd half
Faye – 6.5 – a beast at the back
O’Brien – 7 – a good solid game with some great crossing including an assist for our equaliser
Collison – 7 – his engine appears to be coming back, a good performance
Noble – 6.5 – poor first half but much improved in the second and was pulling the strings
Nolan – cracking goal and lead with passion as always
Faubert – 8 – a Hammer of the Year? Another excellent performance from the TGV
Cole – 8 – causes defences at this level absolute havocBaldock – can’t really score as went off early for Piquoinne – 6 – who had one of his better games.
Next up for the lads in Middlesbrough, if we can get something out of it, the pressure will really be on the Saints for top spot. Good work Hammers...
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