On Saturday, the pick of the Premier League’s matches took place at the London Stadium as a spirited West Ham side came back from 1-0 down to win 3-2 as some fantastic goals went in. However, the first goal of the day, James McArthur’s early strike for Crystal Palace, was defending shockingly, and the Irons were far from happy with the way their side went about it.
Goal Palace.
The ball was nodded on from a free-kick and James McArthur tapped it into the net. #WHUCRY 0-1 (5)
— West Ham United (@WestHam) December 8, 2018
Crystal Palace had an early free-kick which they whipped into the box, James Tomkins, the former Werst Ham defender, flicked the ball back across to James McArthur as the Hammers defence watched on. Then, with just Lukasz Fabianski to beat and a whole line of Irons standing bewildered behind him, the Scottish midfielder poked home to give his side the perfect start.
Eventually, the goal counted for nothing fabulous strikes from Felipe Anderson and Robert Snodgrass either side of a Javier Hernandez goal meant that Manuel Pellegrini’s side would take all three points from the London derby, but it was still frustrating to see their side go behind in such sloppy circumstances. The fans will hope that their Chilean gaffer has plenty to say to his side on the training ground about the goal, and will be desperate to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.
You can see what the Hammers on Twitter made of the early goal here:
— William (@bill_bridgman) December 8, 2018
Remember when Tompkins used to do that for us, we should have known that was going to happen. Masuaku against Tompkins is a mis match
— Stephen (@arrymonk64) December 9, 2018
Can’t defend.
— AllSportsView (@AllSportsView) December 8, 2018
— Fabian WHUFC (@WHUFC_USA_2008) 8 December 2018
Oh Declan …… went totally to sleep. Team has an 18 yard line policy and he blew it
— . (@TheTiltman) December 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/chris_kyne/status/1071421282686779392
https://twitter.com/Dan_BSM/status/1071421172829556736
The Irons were far from happy with the goal and will hope that their side ca start much better in their next game against Fulham.
