ON this occasion, West Ham’s hopes of yet another Late, Late Show failed to materialise.
The Hammers have embraced ‘Moyesie time’ over the past few weeks – struggling for large periods in a match before producing a killer blow in the final minutes.
Tomas Soucek has been the orchestrator, scoring three last-gasp winners in the club’s last three games – two of them coming in the Premier League.
But here, on a frosty East London afternoon, the Czech giant could not muster a fourth when the David Moyes’ Irons desperately needed it to down Crystal Palace.
Mohammed Kudus was at his electric, scintillating best in the first half, starting and finishing a fine move in the 13th minute for a dream start at the London Stadium.
Yet the hosts failed to kick on, content to see out another narrow victory to make it three Prem wins on the spin for the second time this campaign before a costly second half error.
Konstantinos Mavropanos was at fault, his lazy pass giving Odsonne Edouard a simple finish in the 53rd minute – enough to earn this below-par, injury-hit Palace outfit a valuable point.
West Ham pushed for that injury time sucker punch they have come to love and rely on so much, and the returning Jarrod Bowen came closest with a tame header from six-yards.
A big chance missed to jump into eighth, one that will leave Moyes with a bitter taste. That ruthless edge needs to return should they want to qualify for Europe again next season.
Yet again, Moyes was forced to put out a reshuffled backline with skipper Kurt Zouma missing due to private family reasons. Mavropanos deputised in central defence.
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The sight of Bowen back in the starting XI was a welcome one however, having been out since mid-November with a knee injury picked up with England.
Roy Hodgson also put out a side riddled with changes with long-term injuries to Eberechi Eze and Cheick Doucoure, while Jeffrey Schlupp was a late omission with a personal issue.
Defender Chris Richards acted as a holding midfielder alongside Chris Hughes. It was the latter who played his part for all the wrong reasons in West Ham’s opener.
Hughes was slow to react in midfield as Kudus delightfully dinked the ball over his head and drove from deep, and he continued into the box with the Eagles man’s marking slacking.
From the halfway line, James Ward-Powse pinged a peach of a pass to Vladimir Coufal whose cut-back was met by Kudus’ low strike.
The Ghanaian has taken his time adapting to life in England, but he seems to be getting the hang of it now, netting his third Prem strike, while Coufal made it five Prem assists.
Palace keeper Sam Johnstone will also be disappointed having been beaten at his near post with the ball close to his body, although he may point to a small deflection by Marc Guehi.
Johnstone was at least in the right position nine minutes later with Bowen racing through on goal via Nayef Aguerd’s ball over the top. His chipped attempt smacked Johnstone’s chest.
West Ham appeared content to cruise through the rest of the half with Palace, sensing the visitors were struggling to even string a few passes together in attacking areas.
A spark was needed, surprisingly coming from centre back Joachim Andersen standing over a free-kick. The Dane’s whipped shot deflected just past Alphonse Areola’s post.
To Moyes’ anger, West Ham’s sluggishness carried on after the break and were duly punished as Mavropanos decided to gift wrap an equaliser for Palace in the 53rd minute.
Moments before, Edouard had come close from a set-piece, almost connecting to a Guehi ball across goal but for some brave defending by Ward-Prowse.
From bravery to sheet stupidity, Mavropanos was under no pressure from the resulting goal kick before giving an under hit blind back pass that was gobbled up by Edouard.
The bottom corner found with ease by the Frenchman’s left boot and Mavropanos looked to the heavens in despair. It is now seven Prem matches without a clean sheet for the Irons.
West Ham could no longer rest on a lead and were urged forward by a home crowd who had been awoken from their slumber.
Chances came and went. Lucas Paqueta’s beautifully picked out Emerson in the box yet the Italy international’s first-time volley blazed over.
Ward-Prowse, still needing one more Prem free-kick goal to level with David Beckham’s record of 18, ensured that would wait would carry on by smacking one into the wall.
And then came the stoppage time chance. A dinked cross towards the hungry eyes of Soucek, only for the ball to loop over his head and onto Bowen’s.
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A late, late rally but no late, late three points this time for West Ham.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
