Third win in a row for West Ham as they beat Crystal Palace 3-2

West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace

West Ham recorded their third win in a row over the past week, with this hard fought contest against Crystal Palace.

Palace manager Roy Hodgson reflected that his side probably played better in the second half but lost. "We had good spells in the second half. We had our moments, they had theirs. They took their chances," said a rueful Hodgson.

Palace certainly keenly contested this game and were unlucky not to get someting from it.

The first goal came from a long free kick that was headed on by former West Ham defender James Tomkins. West Ham keeper Lukasz Fabianksi failed to come for the ball, allowing James McArthur to nip in and score.

Palace could have had a second goal in injury time, as a thumping free kick from Luka Milivojevic came back off the crossbar.

West Ham came out with a new verve in the second half, which saw them quickly draw level via a Robert Snodgrass drive from just outside the box.

West Ham's Felipe Anderson then took over proceedings, first striking a free kick over the wall, that Hennessey could only push away to the incoming Javier Hernandez to force home.

Then, the Brazilian picked up an Hernandez pass on the left, which he expertly curled into the top corner beyond Hennessey.

Palace got one back in the 75th minute, when substitute Jeffrey Schlupp rose to head home a cross from Max Meyer.

West Ham boss Mauel Pellegrini was delighted to collect his third win in a week."We hope to change the style of this club.We hope to add as many points as we can and be near the top of the table," said Pellegrini, who complimented Snodgrass for working hard in attack and defence.

An unhappy Hodgson told how Tomkins was still angry about the foul given against him for the second goal and his complaints after the final whistle led to a booking. A booking that means he will be suspended for the next game.

published - Morning Star - 9/12/2018