Iain Flood
West Ham threw away a two-goal lead away to Crystal Palace on Saturday. Andre Ayew and Javier Hernandez scored for the visitors, whilst Luka Milivojevic and a last gasp effort from Wilfried Zaha ultimately secured a point for the home side. Here are five takeaways from the match.
Andre Ayew coming good
Andre Ayew put in another noteworthy performance for West Ham today. Following his crucial double against Tottenham midweek, the Ghanaian striker scored again today, bringing his tally to four goals in all competitions for the season.
Combined with his excellent work rate again, it would seem that last season’s then record signing may yet come good for Slaven Bilic.
Marko Arnautovic benched
Arnautovic, by contrast, sat the game out as an unused substitute. The Hammers’ record signing at £25m has yet to find the net for his new club, and has also come under fire for his lack of energy. This is in stark contrast to the excellent Ayew.
Arnautovic may find himself another addition to the list of failed strikers during Gold and Sullivan’s tenure at West Ham if he does not begin to perform on and off the field quickly.
West Ham lose points late, again
A feature of Slaven Bilic’s tenure at West Ham has been late goals costing them points. This was on display again at Selhurst Park, with the Hammers throwing away a two-goal lead with virtually the last kick of the game. A stark contrast to the midweek fightback against Tottenham, the inconsistencies will no doubt concern the West Ham board.
Palace fight back
Crystal Palace fought back from a two-goal disadvantage today, battling to the very end. Though the opposition was not as strong as they will face over the remainder of the season, the second-half performance will no doubt inspire the Palace faithful.
Such heart will be crucial if the club are to prove doubters wrong and survive for another season in the Premier League.
Zaha is crucial for Palace
Wilfried Zaha missed six of Palace’s opening seven league defeats, but has since returned to provide decisive goals against Chelsea and now West Ham. Zaha has now scored two in four this season, and will no doubt be the key man in Palace’s bid for survival. That the young Ivory Coast winger is leading Palace’s fightback will surely please his fans.
Zaha’s aborted move to Manchester United has left the young man with a lot to prove. Now is the time for him to show that the promise of his early career may yet be fulfilled.