Halfpenny set to sit out key Euro clash with Ulster
they had lived very dangerous to do so. Too dangerously, it proved.
They remained reliant on the totemic figure of Paterson to hold up the ball and connect with teammates, as he did when Victor Camarasa was presented with a chance to test Fabianski from 25 yards and force the former Swansea keeper into a decent save.
It was an even better save from Fabianski minutes later, after Arnautovic was adjudged to have pushed Hoilett in the box.
Ralls stepped up as he always does for Cardiff. But this was a Premier League penalty, and the midfielder was found wanting, delivering a meek spot-kick that Fabianski simply gobbled up.
There was still time for the Poland international to save acrobatically from Camarasa’s free-kick just before the break, with the hosts losing their way as the half progressed and Cardiff – despite the penalty miss – feeling encouraged.
They briefly continued in the same vein upon resumption, Camarasa latching onto Bennett’s fine low cross, with only a sprawling Arthur Masuaku denying the Spaniard.
But they had only themselves to blame for the West Ham opener which came via substitute Perez in the 50th minute.
That’s only half the story – some calamitous non-communicating between Morrison and Bennett was the gift the Hammers needed, with Perez volleying home from Snodgrass’ flick.
The former Arsenal man’s second goal was even simpler. Masuaku exploited the space vacated by an advanced Manga and fed the Spanish striker to drill beyond Etheridge. 2-0. Game over? It was soon to be.
There was more pain to come and again – for the umpteenth time this season – it came from a set-piece. Antonio was the beneficiary of some slack Harry Arter marking, nodding home at the near post to virtually kill the game after an hour.
The second half proved to be about as punishing a Premier League experience as Cardiff have endured this season and the resignation was written all over Warnock’s face, isolated on the London Stadium touchline.
As the Hammers went close numerous times in the final half hour, there was little joy for those who had travelled from South Wales except for in the final minute when a Josh Murphy consolation was just that.
West Ham: Fabianski; Antonio, Ogbonna, Diop, Masuaku; Noble, Rice, Snodgrass (Diangana, 76); Anderson, Arnautovic (Perez, 40), Hernandez (Carroll, 64). Subs not used: Adrian, Balbuena, Zabaleta, Obiang.
Cardiff City: Etheridge; Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Arter, Gunnarsson, Ralls (Mendez-Laing, 64); Camarasa, Hoilett (Murphy, 64), Paterson (Harris, 70). Subs not used: Smithies, Peltier, Decordova-Reid, Madine. Referee: Graham Scott Attendance: 56,811
WALES and Scarlets full-back Leigh Halfpenny remains sidelined with the concussion he suffered against Australia last month.
Halfpenny is still going through the necessary head injury protocols and has been ruled out of the region’s crucial European Champions Cup clash with Ulster in Llanelli on Friday night.
The British and Irish Lion was forced from the field during Wales’ autumn series win against Australia following a contentious late challenge from Wallaby centre Samu Kerevi. There was no action taken by the officials at the time, which angered the Wales coaching set-up, with the knock forcing Halfpenny out for the remainder of the campaign.
The player was rested for last weekend’s Guinness PRO14 defeat in Glasgow and head coach Wayne Pivac has confirmed he won’t be ready for the visit of the Ulstermen.
“Leigh has been ruled out, we want to give him more time, we don’t want to push things,” said the New Zealander.
The news is more positive on Wales lock Jake Ball, who was forced off after taking a head knock that saw Warriors prop Alex Allan red carded in Scotstoun last weekend.
“Jake is hitting all his makers, he is running today, hopefully he keeps ticking all those boxes,” said Pivac.
“He is a player who has played very well for us, he is one of our main carriers, does a lot of work, has a big engine and is a good defensive player. We will give him every opportunity to take the field on Friday.”
Flanker James Davies could also feature as he recovers from the knee injury he picked up against Benetton in September, while prop Samson Lee is also set to be available.
“James ran this morning in full contact, he has ticked every box, it is how he responds now,” said Pivac.
“If he comes through that he will be available for selection. It is a big ‘if’ because the workload is very intense today for a reason. He needs to come through that because he has been out for 11 weeks.”
Kiwi flanker Blade Thomson continues to be rested and is unlikely to be considered until the festive derbies.
The Scarlets go into the round three tie having lost their opening two pool matches, with Pivac admitting it’s knockout rugby from now on if they are to harbour any hopes of reaching the quarterfinals for a successive season.