IT’S A HAPPY PHEW YEAR!
Irons hold on to win, despite Eagles comeback
HECTOR NUNNS
By at Selhurst Park MANUEL LANZINI scored twice as impressive West Ham closed to within a point of the Champions League places.
But Crystal Palace nearly achieved a deserved draw, pulling back two goals after being 3-0 down at half-time.
And they did it with Wilfried Zaha, Cheikhou Kouyate and Sam Gallagher all sidelined.
The Iron have overcome their early
December blip and boss David Moyes saw his side leapfrog Spurs, who had briefly claimed fifth spot earlier in the day.
And, following a three-goal first-half barrage, they are back putting real pressure on Arsenal in fourth spot after two thumping away wins in four days.
A brave late fightback, inspired by 20-year-old Michael Olise saw the Eagles get close, but it was not enough to stop the recalled Declan Rice enjoying his 150th Premier League appearance. The ever-reliable Michail Antonio got the ball rolling, chipping in with his eight league goal of the season – but this was a special day for Argentinian Lanzini.
The 28-year-old is only now rediscovering his very best form for West Ham after fallow years following serious injury.
At least Palace had manager Patrick Vieira back in the dugout after his spell of Covid self-isolation.
But, shortly before kick-off, it became clear that Zaha – theoretically eligible after a ban – Kouyate and Gallagher were missing though either Covid or injury.
Zaha and Kouyate had also been due to be flying out this week to the African Nations Cup to represent Ivory Coast and Senegal respectively.
Vieira drafted Luka Milivojevic into the engine room in midfield, while Christian Benteke was recalled up front in place of Jean-philippe Mateta.
Palace’s availability problems meant there were only eight subs on the bench – including two goalkeepers.
Before the match, Vieira (right) said: “We are missing a couple of players through Covid, through injury. It is a difficult time, especially when on the day of the game at 12pm you have a situation you cannot manage.”
The Hammers, like Palace, had come into the match in good spirits on the pitch off an emphatic win earlier in the week.
But they were asleep in the first minute as Palace came within millimetres of taking the lead after just 45 seconds – Jeffrey Schlupp hitting the post from Jordan Ayew’s cut-back.
Milivojevic then curled a free-kick just wide from 25 yards after Tomas Soucek brought down Christian Benteke.
Vladimir Coufal fired a half-volley well over as the Hammers claimed a foothold in the contest.
But in the 14th minute Vicente Guaita pulled off a superb double-save to stop first Michail Antonio’s shot, and then Said Benrahma’s header.
With the momentum having completely switched, Benrahma headed Antonio’s cross just wide. But, after 22
‘‘ minutes, they combined again, and this time gave the Hammers the lead.
Benrahma cut back on to his right foot and a sumptuous cross was poked home by Antonio.
And the Hammers made it two goals in three first-half minutes as some delightful footwork from Lanzini created the space for the playmaker to lash in from 12 yards.
Odsonne Edouard saw his shot come down off the bar on to the line as the Eagles hit the woodwork for the second time – and Lukasz Fabianski saved twice from Benteke.
A great saving tackle from Joachim Andersen stopped Bowen from getting a shot away – but there was more misery for
Palace deep in first-half stoppage time.
Milivojevic handled in the area and a VAR check saw Lanzini put the spot-kick away.
Edouard got one back after 83 minutes, his fifth Premier League goal of the season, from sub Olise’s fine delivery.
Olise then saw his free-kick elude everyone to find the far corner in the final minute – but it was all just too late.