Pot luck in for Sparky
DAVID MOYES had complained of TV “overkill” before the final Premier League game of the festive period is replaced by more live FA Cup action tonight.
The West Ham boss had argued the sheer number of television games was too much for even him “and other fanatical football supporters”.
It certainly seemed like the players on both sides had looked forward to this encounter as much as another serving of turkey.
Fewer than 48 hours after beating West Brom in the 94th minute, West Ham’s depleted squad meant Moyes could only make three changes, including replacing the injured Marko Arnautovic, with Andy Carroll returning to the bench. And then up popped Pedro Obiang. The old Wembley stadium had witnessed some th thunderbolt shots from players such as Bobby Charlton and Paul Gascoigne.
Obiang’s strike, after 70 minutes, was surely as p powerful as any seen at the home of English football. Though Son Heung-min wasn’t going to be outdone and produced his own rocket just 14 minutes later for Spurs.
In fact, the two magnificent goals looked totally out of place in a game that, quite frankly, didn’t deserve them.
Moyes (above) will be happier with the result against Tottenham after he had inherited a team in the bottom three in November, going in only one direction.
His opening defeat at Watford was shambolic, on and off the pitch, with fans abusing players and directors and voicing disapproval of the manager who took Sunderland down last season.
But, clearly relishing another crack at the Premier League, Moyes has slowly won fans round by tactically outwitting Antonio Conte and climbing out of the drop zone.
Some wheeling and dealing in January will quicken the improvement. There are certainly three worse teams and managers in the Premier League.
The Hammers may not win any awards this season – but now they look an entirely different proposition. MARK HUGHES has won a stay of execution by convincing Stoke’s owners he can steer the club away from trouble.
He met chairman Peter Coates and vice-chairman John Coates yesterday after taking just four points from seven games.
Hughes takes his men to League Two Coventry tomorrow for an FA Cup third-round tie and has the board’s backing to bolster his squad by making a move for Fulham right-back Ryan Fredericks.
He said: “It was a good meeting, it was about everybody understanding where we are and what needs to be done. It’s a difficult situation but we can turn it round.”