Hull City 2 – 1 West Ham : Match review

After a long two weeks without a game, due to the International break, West Ham faced a tough trip to Hull City. With the Tigers fighting for their Premier League safety, Slav’s men had to be at their very best to come away with anything.

Slaven Bilic named an attacking line-up for the trip to the KCOM Stadium. Injuries to West Ham’s Pedro Obiang, Winston Reid and Michail Antonio meant a few enforced changes had to be made.

West Ham started with a 4-5-1 formation. Darren Randolph keeping his place in-goal, a back four of Sam Bryam, Jose Fonte, James Collins and Aaron Cresswell. Cheikou Kouyate and Manuel Lanzini were the main men in the middle of the park. Sofiane Feghouli started on the right-wing, with Andre Ayew on the left. Robert Snodgrass facing his former side was given a free role in behind Andy Carroll.

Captain Mark Noble was back but only on the subs bench, with Winston Reid out injured, the captain`s armband was given to Andy Carroll. This bit of a shock with ‘Ginger Pele’ James Collins back in the side today.

Early booking

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Jose Fonte was booked inside the first two minutes for a silly tackle on Hull striker Abel Hernandez. He made amends as the first chance of the game went to Hull, Kouyate was dispossessed in the midfield and with Hull in on goal, Fonte made a tackle and cleaned up the mess. West Ham’s best chance in the early period was a cross from Feghouli, into Snodgrass who had a free header but from around 15 yards out, straight at the Hull keeper.

Finally not an early goal conceded

After conceding 8 goals in the first 15 minutes of their recent games, it was nice to see the score-line at 0-0 as the clock went past the quarter of the hour mark. A scrappy opening as expected, Hull having the better of the chances. All in all there was nothing to worrying though for either goalkeeper.

Captain fantastic

The game finally came to life in the 18th minute, Hammers left-back Cresswell with a superb 50-60 yard ball into the box and captain Carroll controlled on his chest brilliantly and smashed it in for 1-0. The big man with his 50th Premier League goal, 30 of them have come for West Ham. There were shades of last season from Cresswell with the ball into Carroll.

Dodgy keeping

A mistake from Randolph (thinking he is Manuel Neuer), getting caught out but luckily unpunished for the Hammers. Lanzini fizzing a shot wide and up the other end, Hull had a couple of chances but all in all Collins and Fonte looked solid, Half time and West Ham went it at the break 1-0 up. Many have called for the Hammers to sign a new keeper in the Summer, and he wasn’t helping himself here.

Spot on tactics

Hull made a positive change with defender Curtis Davies going off, attack minded player Kamil Grosicki came on to replace him. This switched the Tigers to a back four who came out in the second half with all guns blazing.

The second half change seemed to have worked, a good bit of play from Hull, finished off by one time West Ham target, left-back, Andy Robertson. 1-1 and a decent equalizer to be fair, it would be too good to be true for the Hammers getting a clean sheet today.

Almost from the kick-off West Ham were nearly back in front, Snodgrass with a delivery in the box and the big man Carroll nearly grabbed his brace, only a great save preventing him from doing so.

Very open game

This was turning out to be a very open game all of a sudden, Hull going close hitting the post, just like they did three times at The London Stadium earlier in the season.

It was end to end stuff, with both sides creating. West Ham went close with a ball in from Lanzini and Feghouli was free, but the Algerian didn’t get enough on his header and the score-line stayed 1-1…somehow.

Snodgrass was replaced by Edmilson Fernandes on the hour mark, not the greatest return back to Hull for the Scotsman. How he must have wanted to turn his recent form around. Another change for Hammers was an enforced one, as Cresswell pulled up injured and on to replace him was Arthur Masuaku.

Another late goal conceded

Hull are fighting for their lives and got what they deserved late on. 85 minutes into the game and the comeback was complete with another set piece goal conceded. A corner into the West Ham box and Andrea Ranocchia rose above everyone to head home the winner. 2-1 to Hull and full credit to them, they wanted it more.

After a positive first half from West Ham, it all went down hill fast today as Hull came from behind to win 2-1. Yet again the Hammers looked unfit and that can’t be a coincidence. The pure determination to stay in the Premier League from Hull, was the difference today, fair play to them.

West Have have now failed to win in all five of their Premier League games away at Hull City, losing three and drawing two. That’s a huge issue when these games could decide relegations one way or another.

Slav out?

With all the rumours flying around the club, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Slaven Bilic was sacked within the next few days, not that I want this to happen, but something is not right at the moment.

Next: Benitez or Stam for West Ham job?

Looking over our shoulders

West Ham now sit only six points above the relegation zone. With Swansea, Everton, Tottenham and Liverpool all to play at home and some tough away trips to come, things do not look good. How many points will count for safety this year? Bilic must be looking at 40 points as his target now.

Next up for West Ham is a trip to The Emirates in the London derby against Arsenal, a match I am not looking forward to one bit. If the side concede a lot again, will we see the last of Slaven Bilic?