“West Ham’s turn to squander 3 goals lead!”

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West Ham United 3 v 3 Arsenal

15 Lingard (assist Antonio)                                        38 Soucek o.g.

17 Bowen (assist Lingard)                                          61 Dawson o.g.

32 Soucek (assist Antonio)                                         82 Lacazette (assist Pepe)

Yellows: Antonio, Coufal, Cresswell                          Lacazette

Played Sunday 21 March 2021 at an empty London Stadium.

Just as West Ham United had come from 3 goals down earlier in the season against Tottenham Hotspur to draw 3-3 so to did Arsenal in this entertaining, fast moving and evenly fought Premier London Derby (PLDs) match. Jesse Lingard, too young a player to describe as rejuvenated already, scored the opener for the Hammers on 15 minutes. Two minutes later his quick thinking and a quickly taken free kick put Jarrod Bowen in for the second. Just after the half-hour Tomas Soucek scored the third, but when he deflected the Gunners’ Alexandre Lacazette’s volleyed shot into his own net the Czech midfielder became the first Hammer to score at both ends in the same game for 10 years.

The Arsenal fight back continued in the second half with the vision and passes of Martin Odegaard, on loan from Real Madrid, instrumental. He set up Calum Chambers’ cross which Hammers’ defender Craig Dawson unfortunately but firmly netted, and Nicolas Pepeto cross for Alexandre Lacazette to head home. Either side might have scored a fourth but West Ham United’s Michail Antonio pushed the ball against the post rather than in from close range, and Issa Diop cleared Arsenal’s Lacazette’s lob off the line. The point each leaves the Hammers 5th with 49, 2 behind Chelsea in 4th and 1 ahead of Spurs, and the Gunners 9th with 42. All Clubs have 9 more to play in the Premier League (PL).

There is no PL football this weekend nor PLDs matches due to the World Cup Qualifying European section games. In this tournament congratulations are due to West Ham United’s Tomas Soucek who scored a perfect classic hat-trick – one right footed shot, one left footed, and a header – in the Czech Republic’s 2-6 win away to Estonia. In this form he must be in with a shout for at least a nomination in Footballer of the Year. The Hammers may be hard pressed to keep him at the end of the season, but he would command a handsome price!

Until next time “Keep Safe” and enjoy your football wherever it is, Andrew at PLDs.