What a bizarre weekend of football it was! Bayern, Real and Barcelona all failed to win, and so might have Manchester United, if it hadn’t been for that late comeback and a stoppage time winner from the much maligned Alexis Sanchez that saw them edge Newcastle.

Currently, Bayern, Real and Barcelona have not won in the last 10 league games combined between them! Real are even having problems scoring, and while Barca are drawing, their story might also have been different had Lionel Messi not been available for them.

Moving away from Bayern, Real and Barca, and back to West Ham, this was one very disappointing result. As Hammers fans though, must admit that some of us actually expected this. BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson, in his pre-game prediction, had gone for a Brighton win just because “it would be typical of West Ham to have a stumble just as they start to get back on their feet”

This was a very winnable game- make no bones about it. If not a win, West Ham, as manager Manuel Pellegrini pointed out his post match interview, at least deserved a point. They had 65% of possession, made over 510 passes (in comparison to Brighton’s 280 odd). The home side had a passing accuracy of only 68%, and their only goal came from a horrible Hammers mistake, with Yarmolenko losing the ball in midfield and some very ordinary defending allowing Murray to score. [Read more…]

In his prediction for this game, BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson had said that it would be typical of West Ham “to have a stumble just as they start to get back on their feet“. They turned out to be pretty prophetic words, with Brighton claiming a win at the Amex last night thanks to Glen Murray’s first half goal.

Several Hammers were below par against the Seagulls- Arthur Masuaku, who ignored his defensive responsibilities when Murray got into the box for the first goal, was one. It appeared from replays that Issa Diop had clearly pointed to Masuaku to mark Murray, but for reasons best known to the left back, he chose not to, and the unmarked Murray gleefully scored what was to prove to be the winner for Chris Hughton’s side. Questions have always been asked about Masuaku’s defensive capabilities, and this display is only sure to add to those. [Read more…]