Business as Usual as West Ham Sacko Sorry QPR

Five in a row for Diafra Sakho...

After the various teaser games had served to whet the appetite, the big clash of the day finally kicked off a little later than the scheduled 4.15 kick off. However, the Hammers were more than ready and cam flying out of the traps to take a deserved lead after just 5 minutes as poor QPR defender Nedum Onouha was forced to concede an own goal under considerable pressure from the ever lively and physical presence of Diafra Sakho.

The opener was followed by continued West Ham pressure with QPR mustering a single decent chance before the break, while a dominant West Ham patiently controlled the game creating a number of further half chances and went in perhaps a little disappointed to be only a single goal to the good at half time.

QPR boss Harry Redknapp must have said something right during the half time dressing room as QPR came out much more motivated for the start of the second half and were just starting to get on top of things when West ham suckered them with a goal, somewhat against the run of play,  as after some chaotic defending in the QP box, Sakho popped up to head home from a James Tomkins cross.

Two-nil with a half hour to go - could QPR mount a comeback?

No.

They couldn't.

Their only chance of note was a Nico Krancjar free kick that had Adrian diving to his bottom left hand post to push it wide.

Otherwise, West Ham could have extended the lead, and seemed to have been given a present from retuning ex-Hammer Rob Green who generously rolled a ball out to Enner Valencia who duly obliged by stroking it into the QPR net but the referee disallowed the goal because QPR were already losing and he wanted to keep the game alive for the many thousands of viewers. Probably.

This ruined the chances of Hammers starlets Reece Burke and Elliot Lee getting a run out as a 3-0 score line would surely have allowed Sam to empty the bench and give the youngsters some much needed game time.

Next up, another International snoozefest. At least with Hodgson at he helm we wont get many injuries to our lads whilst on England duty!

Burnley away after that...