The trio of Victor Moses Payet and Lanzini each contributed to one of the goals, Moses providing the assist for Carl Jenkinson’s opener, before Lanzini and Payet added West Ham’s second and third goals, the latter’s provided for by the Argentine.
Advertisement
That win did come last season though so Palace are going to be keen on putting that right, losing three-one as we had won three-one at Upton Park.
Gayle was given his marching orders for two yellow cards but Palace held out until two minutes from time when Lanzini struck.
– Dimitri Payet has had a hand in 15 goals (six goals, nine assists) in his last 17 league appearances (Premier League & Ligue 1 combined).
West Ham striker Andy Carroll is fit after recovering from an ankle injury, while Angelo Ogbonna could also feature following a hamstring problem.
Palace’s chances took a blow when Gayle, who had already been booked for fouling Payet, lunged in on Cheikhou Kouyate and was sent off, with Clattenburg having little option but to show a second yellow card. “He sat the keeper down and then chipped the ball over him”. Mauro Zárate provided the cross, Carroll rose highest to get the far post knockdown and, when the pair’s fellow substitute Nikica Jelavic was thwarted in his attempts to scramble home, Manuel Lanzini fired in an unstoppable drive from close range.
Handled badly, this could result in a disaffected player, but it seems Bilic has explained his decisions to Antonio, who said at the weekend that he and the manager had a “discussion”, and that he was going to “wait for my opportunity and take it”.
The free-scoring Hammers are unbeaten on the road in the Premier League and the only points they have dropped on their travels were in the 2-2 draw at Sunderland on October 3.
“It was a London derby which means a lot to the supporters and I like Palace they are a good side and made it very hard for us”. “It is tricky sometimes because you always think you have got to beat 10 men, but it can be harder because they defend so hard”. It’s early days, not late May.
Advertisement
Crystal Palace are hoping to maintain their Champions League spot and Pardew is under no illusions that his team are not many people’s bet to stay there.
