West Ham run out easy winners (3-1) over Cardiff City at the London Stadium

West Ham 3-1 Cardiff City

West Ham ran out easy winners of this game, though for much of the first half the visitors looked likely to get something from the game.

Cardiff's best chance came in the 34th minute, when referee Graham Scott awarded a penalty for an innocuous challenge by Marko Arnautovic. 

West Ham keeper Lukasz Fabianski saved the day, stopping the spot kick from Joe Ralls.

Fabianki made two further saves from Victor Camarasa.

For West Ham Arnautovic had a goal bound shot cleared off the line by a defender, whilst Angeli Ogbonna saw his goal bound header from a corner similarly cleared.
West Ham took charge in the second half, when three minutes in, Cardiff defenders failed to clear, allowing Robert Snodgrass, to put an inch perect chip through to substitute Lucas Perez to stroke home.

Five minutes later, Lucas struck again, this time put through by defender Arthur Masuaku.

The demolition was complete a few moments later when Michail Antonio headed home a Snodgrass corner.

Further efforts followed, with Ogbonna having a shot cleared off the line and substitute Grady Diangana breaking away to be foiled at the last moment by Cardiff keeper Neil Etheridge.

Cardiff did manage a consolation goal in the final minute, as Josh Murphy bundled the ball over the line amid a melee of players.

Goalkeeper Fabianski was clearly fouled but, as with much else on the evening referee Scott let it go.

West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini thought it a strange game. "We started well but after that didn't make the space," said Pellegrini, who felt the penalty was unnecessary.

He also felt there was a foul and hand ball with the Cardiff goal.

published - Morning Star - 7/12/2018