West Ham takes consecutive bashes from Liverpool and Chelsea
West Ham (Home) vs. Chelsea (0-4, Upton Park - 3/1/08)
Frank Lampard (17), Joe Cole (20), Michael Ballack (22), Ashley Cole (64)
West Ham had 58% possession vs. Chelsea’s 42%.
West Ham had 6 shots on goal vs. Chelsea’s 7
West Ham had 6 corners vs. Chelsea’s 1
West Ham had a flawed defense and lack of ability to finish; they also need to improve and capitalize on their set plays. The West Ham midfield showed possession despite the inferior score demonstrating some resilience.
West Ham (Away) vs. Liverpool – (0-4, Anfield - 3/5/08)
Fernando Torres (8, 61, 81), Steven Gerrard (83).
West Ham had 31% possession to Liverpools 69%.
West Ham had 2 shots to Liverpools 20.
West Ham had 3 corner kicks vs. Liverpools 16.
Needless to say it was a dismal performance by West Ham and an exemplary show from Liverpool, especially from Fernando Torres. This was Torres 2nd hat trick in consecutive home games for Liverpool.
I’m sure that right about now Alan Curbishley (West Ham manager) is missing Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun and Argentinian striker Carlos Tevez. Last season West Ham had both players; Tevez saved West Ham from relegation and Benayoun held the West Ham midfield together. Perhaps West Ham didn’t notice their value but at the end of the season Benayoun was transferred to Liverpool and Tevez to Manchester United where Tevez starts and Benyoun plays often (Liverpool manager Benitez has an unusual system of fielding players).
