What On Earth Was Lanzini Thinking?

The Hammers pushed themselves into mid-table safety after ravaging Huddersfield at their John Smith Stadium. Using a solid defensive set up as the basis from which to attack, the second half saw the Hammers rip Huddersfield apart and, in all honesty, the 4-1 final score line did not flatter the East Londoners.

However, it could all of turned out quite different if Huddersfield had steadied themselves after Marko Arnautovic's early second half strike that left the Terriers chasing the game. Thereafter, Arnautovic and Lanzini sliced through the Huddersfield defence at will but on 55 minutes, and just one goal ahead, Lanzini found himself through on goal BUT instead of taking the relatively easy option to put two goals between the sides, the stylish Argentinian bizarrely decided to try a rabona!!! 

Thankfully, a punch drunk Huddersfield conceded a third soon after as Lanzini seemed to learn from his earlier misjudgement and smashed in the third and then a fourth. In reality, Lanzini should have had  a hat-trick and on another day the missed rabona effort could have cost the Hammers dearly!

That said, the Hammers are looking good and the Manny-Arnie partnership is working really well.  It's a pity that none of our strikers seem to be able to join them in the fun! Arnautovic’s physicality and Lanzini’s craft make for a potent combination, especially where the opposition pushes up and leaves space to run into like yesterday.  

Also worth a mention is the fact that Mark Noble's well taken effort to open festivities yesterday was his 50th for the club. A truly top Hammer and with still a bit left to give! 

Next up it's the 3rd round cup replay with a well organised Shrewsbury hoping to wreck our current buzz. Moyes only named six substitutes yesterday revealing that he wanted to keep some of the kids fresh for Tuesday. With our Premiership status looking much healthier as we are now up to 11th, perhaps Moyes might fancy a run in the cup and field a strong side?