These FIVE games prove West Ham are on the up

Before the season began, if you were to ask any Hammers fan that by the end of February, a place in next season’s Europa League is still a realistic possibility, they would have thought you were mad.

Furthermore, if you were to ask any West Ham fan that you would gain three points against last season’s runners up Liverpool and current Premier League title holders Manchester City, they would not have believed it in a million years.

We’re currently in a very respectable eighth position in the league, still manager Sam Allardyce’s future is at risk. Yes, he has made some tactical decisions in the past that have been questionable, but overall, Big Sam has done a solid job this season.

Despite the impressive victories against Liverpool and Manchester City, the Hammers have been involved in games where they’ve deserved a lot more. So, here are five of them matches showing they can still be proud of themselves, even if they the Boleyn Ground outfit did not come out with a win.

Click on Stewart Downing to reveal

Man United 2-1 WEST HAM – Saturday 27th September

With Wayne Rooney scoring his 176th Premier League goal and Robin Van Persie putting the hosts 2-0 up after just 15 minutes, may Hammers fans thought that the floodgates were about to open.

However, this was far from the case, and with Diafra Sakho putting West Ham back in the game and Rooney seeing red, the onslaught began.

The second half saw the visitors dominate. Enner Valencia saw a shot go wide of the post, while substitute Kevin Nolan saw his tap in unfairly chalked off for offside.

The Upton Park side’s dominance deserved so much more, but the most impressive thing was it was against Manchester United on their own turf. Going to Old Trafford is daunting at the best of times, so for the Hammers to control the majority of the game, and attack the Red Devils make shift defence with no fear is something that is truly commendable.

Stoke City 2-2 WEST HAM – Saturday 1st November

Like the game against Manchester United, the Hammers saw themselves go deservedly 2-0 down with on loan winger Victor Moses and forward Mame Biram Diouf notching in either half.

However, the Hammers looked a different team in the second-half inspired by midfield maestro Stewart Downing. The England international set up Enner Valencia four minutes after Diouf’s goal, with the Ecuadorian producing a brilliant stooping header. Thirteen minutes later, Downing himself scored with an impressive finish.

Coming back from two goals down at the Britannia Stadium is something to boast about. The Potters are not known for playing fancy football, but coming away with something at an intimidating place like the Britannia is something to stand up and applaud, and it could have so easily turned into three points.

Everton 2-1 WEST HAM – Saturday 22nd November

Again, despite another defeat, West ham did not deserve to lose this match. Inevitably, whenever Toffees striker Romelu Lukaku plays against the Hammers, he tends to score, and nothing was different this time, netting in the 26th minute for his fifth goal of the season.

However, to say that the Belgian frontman was in an offside position is an understatement. It’s still one of the worst referring decisions of the season. Maura Zarate levelled with a deflected shot, before Leon Osman, another prolific scorer against the East Londoners, grabbed the winner in the 73rd minute on his 400th appearance for the Goodison Park outfit.

The most impressive factor is that Sam Allardyce’s men had several key players missing. The likes of Stewart Downing, Alex Song, Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Cheikhou Kouyate were all absent.

Nevertheless, the Hammers were still worthy of gaining at least a point from the game, and only a dodgy referring decision denied the Boleyn Ground side.

WEST HAM 1-1 Man United – Sunday 8th February

This is the first of the games that consequently resulted in West Ham concededing the final moments of the game. It’s safe to say the Manchester United did not threaten the Hammers at all, and as a result, resorted to their ‘long ball’ tactics.

With Cheikhou Kouyate, who was playing at centre half and played one of his best games in his short Hammers career, scored a sublime goal.

However, going well into the 90th minute, a wayward Carl Jenkinson headed clearance resulted in Daley Blind volleying the ball past Adrian in an agonising draw.

However, ask any West Ham this question, when was the last time they felt disappointed with a point against the 14 times Premier League champions?

Tottenham 2-2 WEST HAM – Sunday 22nd February

In the most recent match against West Ham’s London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, the Hammers were 30 seconds away from clinching their third successive win at White Hart Lane.

After Chiekhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho put the Hammers deservedly 2-0 to the good, Danny Rose then scored one of the luckiest goals in a long time with his scuffed volley with seven minutes remaining.

Red mist descended over Alex Song, whi made contact with Spurs hot shot forward Harry Kane in the penalty area with referee Jonathan Moss having no choice but to give the spot kick.

Despite Kane’s penalty being saved, the up and coming England striker slotted home the rebound.
Kane did go down very easily, but in that situation, it’s understandable why he went down.

However, would West Ham have taken a point before the game started?