I don'’t normally look forward to West Ham United'’s game, however I made an exception considering that quite possibly Tevez and Mascherano would make an appearance. After all, who wouldn'’t want to see how these two genuine world-class players fare in the hustle bustle of the Premiership? The game started quite disappointingly for me as a neutral when the teams were announced. No Tevez or Mascherano in the starting line-up. Damn! Aston Villa, to their credit did not let the occasion get to them. It would have been all too easy to forget that they were not there just to make the numbers. Perhaps not surprisingly, as a declaration of intent, Aston Villa took the lead within 4 minutes. West Ham did have a glorious chance equalizise, when Sorensen made a hash of the backpass. However Harewood, lacked the wits and technical ability to punish Villa.
If anything, it was West Ham who looked out of sorts and uncomfortable with the circus surrounding Tevez and Mascherano. Aston Villa continued to dominate, and were the more
penetrative; especially through Gareth Barry's exquisite crossing. Juan Pablo Angel was unlucky not to have scored on two occasions. The pattern continued throughout the remainder of the first half, and you had the impression that it would be a matter of time before Tevez was introduced.
With 10 minutes of the restart, Harewood was replaced. The ovation for Tevez was obvious to see. And as a neutral, I couldn't wait to see the impact he would have. The introduction of Tevez duly reinvigorated West Ham, and they attacked with more purpose. Using the width of the pitch, unlike before. The pressure soon bore fruit, as West Ham won a corner. The well worked corner, involving a deflection from
West Ham to their credit introduction Etherington to provide a danger from the wings. Petrov had his lob over the goalkeeper cleared off the line. Other chances then came and went at either end, but there was to be no more goals.
Tevez certainly showed what he has, and I think with more time on the pitch he will prove to be devasting. Maybe even along the way, teach Harewood how to shoot with his left foot! All in all a draw was fair, however if I was Villa fan, I would have felt hard done by!
Oh yeah, the final score! 1-1.
1 comment:
As a West Ham fan I was slightly disappointed with the performance. Perhaps I was a little naive to expect them to walk into the team and add some verve and strengthen the team immediately. This review is fair and accurately reflects the events and mood of the game.
Nameless Friend
Post a Comment