West Ham United vs Swansea City: Post Match Review

In a stark contrast to our midweek game at the Hawthorns it was the boys in claret and blue who got off to the better start, having a massive 70% possession in the opening exchanges. On his return from injury Alex Song looked as imposing and controlling as ever as he pinged the ball about finding his man with ease; it looked like Song was reading the game five minutes before everybody else. However, all was not rosy for too long for West Ham as on the 19th minute Wilfried Bony hit home his 19th goal of the calendar year and his seventh this season after Jefferson Montero fed an inch perfect pass to Bony who neatly slotted home. Cue Hammers fans wondering why Sam Allardyce chose to sign Bony over Andy Carroll, for £3 million less, when he had the chance in the summer of 2013. 1-0 to Swansea City and West Ham were eager to repeat their comeback heroics of four days ago. After the goal that was frankly against the run of play West Ham picked up where they left off, again dominating proceedings. Carroll was proving a problem for the Swans defence, however they were up to the test. At that moment. But Carroll’s dry spell was not to last for any longer as on the 41st minute, just before half time, he sent a looping header over Lukasz Fabianski to level proceedings. A good cross from on loan Arsenal man Carl Jenkinson helped. 1-1. The Hammers finally getting what they deserved for their constant pressure. And they’d walk into the tunnel level.

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The second half got under way, with lethal hitman Diafra Sakho replacing Enner Valencia to give West Ham a more direct threat up front. Again, the East Londoners saw more of the ball and continually put Swansea under pressure. Ten minutes after the restart Kyle Bartley had a coming together with Cheikhou Kouyaté as West Ham continued to press for their second and you had a feeling that whoever got the second goal would go onto win the game. And that all important goal fell to West Ham, a Downing corner found the head of Andy Carroll and the ball found the back of the net. With a little help from Leon Britton but they all count. 2 goals in 66 minutes. And West Ham finally had something proper to show for their efforts. A second comeback in a week. Two minutes later things got even better for us, Lukasz Fabianski saw red for obstructing substitute Diafra Sakho, who thereafter hit the post, free kick to West Ham, and former Hammer Leon Britton made way for Gerhard Tremmel, and this was time for West Ham to really make their advantage count and go for a third. Swansea, though, searched for an equaliser with their crisp, neat passing style of play coming into hand. 12 minutes from time Sakho nearly had his third on his return from injury but saw his attempt thunder against the post. Carroll was screaming to be played in but Sakho had every right to shoot. Less than 10 minutes later and Sakho did have his goal and West Ham had their third, a flick on from Carroll found Sakho and the Senegalese international fired past Tremmel in front of the Bobby Moore Stand. 3-1. Game over.

A third consecutive win fired West Ham up to second, however possibly the only negative on the afternoon was Carl Jenkinson picking up a hamstring injury. Sunderland next though, three wins in three, this football stuff is easy…