CRYSTAL PALACE 2 WEST HAM 3 HAMMERS Lanzini’s double puts RELIEVED VISITORS DEFY LAST-GASP EAGLES COMEBACK
MANUEL LANZINI scored twice as impressivewest Ham moved within a point of the Champions League places. But this was a bad day for Crystal Palace – right from pre-match news aboutwilfried Zaha, Cheikhou Kouyate and Conor Gallagher being out – through to costly on-field errors.
The Hammers have overcome their early-december blip and boss David Moyes saw his side leapfrog Tottenham, who had briefly claimed fifth spot.
And following a three-goal first-half barrage, they are now back putting real pressure on the top four 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 wasn’t 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 eighth 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 forwest 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 fly out this week for the Africa Cup of Nations.
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 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 after an emphatic win earlier in the week.
But they were asleep as Palace came within millimetres of taking the lead after just 45 seconds – Jeffrey Schlupp hitting the post from Jordan Ayew’s cut-back.
On the front foot, Milivojevic then curled a free-kick just wide from 25 yards after Tomas Soucek brought down Benteke.
Vladmir Coufal fired a half-volley well over as the Hammers claimed a foothold in the contest. But in the 14th minutevicente Guaita pulled off a superb double save to stop first Antonio’s shot and then Said Benrahma’s header.
With the momentum having completely switched in an entertaining and open game, Benrahma headed Antonio’s cross just wide.
But after 23 minutes the pair combined again, and gave West Ham the lead. Benrahma, now heading off to Cameroon with Algeria, cut back onto his right foot and a sumptuous cross was poked home by Antonio.
And just as atwatford last Tuesday, the Hammers made it two goals in two first-half minutes as some delightful footwork from Lanzini created the space for the playmaker to lash in from 12 yards.
If Palace were shell-shocked they still managed to rally.
Odsonne Edouard saw his shot come down off the bar as the Eagles hit the woodwork for the second time – and Lukasz Fabianski saved twice from Benteke.
A great tackle from Joachim Andersen stopped Jarrod Bowen from getting a shot away – but there was more misery for Palace in first-half stoppage time. Milivojevic needlessly handled in the area, and although Darren England didn’t see it initially, AVAR check and a review on the monitor saw the official make the award. Lanzini did the rest.
Edouard got one back after 83 minutes, his fifth Premier League goal of the season, from sub Olise’s fine delivery.
Olise saw his free-kick find the far corner in the final minute but it was too late.