Everything goes right for West Ham in 8-0 Cup win

Literally, everything went according to plan for Pellegrini’s strong yet very changed side that faced Macclesfield Town in Carabao Cup action. West Ham were on a string of good form heading into this match, but no one predicted an 8-0 finish. Here’s how it happened.

The only negative in this lopsided win for West Ham was the injury knock starter Carlos Sanchez picked up within the first ten minutes of play. Its a shame for Sanchez who was likely poised for some match time after returning to a bench role, but Sanchez leaving the pitch meant that Declan Rice came on, and he bossed this match.

Like in his last two matches, Declan Rice was completely dominant in this match. He was only on the score sheet once with an assist which came from a beautifully chipped pass to Antonio in the box, but Rice was in on virtually every goal in one way or another. His speed and physicality allowed him to close down and dispossess the Macclesfield counter attacks.

The way Rice reads the game was really put on display in this match. Yes, I know it was a League Two team (and a bad one at that) but Rice is a second-year Premier League player who is just 19 years old. He dominated against Everton, was solid against Chelsea, and lead the team against Macclesfield Town. He won’t get on the scoresheet much but just like the elite holding midfielders on Europe’s top teams (Busquets, Modric, Fernandinho, Matic), he’ll keep the team organized and stop the opposition in their tracks. Lofty comparison but ones he’ll easily grow into.

On to the goal scorers. Michail Antonio got things started with (FINALLY) a headed goal. Rice did well to recover the scrambled corner delivery and chip it over the defenders to find Antonio, but the finish was class too. Antonio powered the ball down past a sprawling keeper, meeting the lobbed ball before any of the three defenders around him could. Antonio was subbed off once the match was well in hand for West Ham but he needed his goal and strong performance for his confidence.

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Snodgrass scored next and added West Ham’s sixth goal of the match. He was as many expected, a leader on the pitch and a dominant offensive force in this match. Snodgrass was far and away West Ham’s best forward in their first month of action (not named Arnautovic) and he finally got the goals he deserved for all of his hard work and effort on the pitch.

More impressive than Snodgrass’ tap-in goal and middle-of-the-box free shot goal was his delivery. He is a dead-ball specialist as West Ham fans know, but his corner deliveries picked apart the coverage Macclesfield put forward. He found Ogbonna’s head for West Ham’s fifth goal which was his second assisted goal of the match. He’s a veteran leader and one West Ham need this season.

As mentioned, Ogbonna slotted home a goal from a corner kick. He has a knack for scoring Cup goals and kept it alive in this match. Ogbonna had to leave the pitch after getting a cut on his head. His absence led to Macclesfield’s only solid chance of the match, but when he returned he continued to cruise through the match, unpressured and in control.

Ryan Fredericks, a man highlighted by the Green Street Hammers’ staff as a potential break out player (here and here), did just that and broke out. Fredericks got back to basics and played exactly how he knows how to – at an intense pace and by getting forward into the box. He scored the goal of the match, West Ham’s fourth goal, a top corner laser beam that just meteored passed the keeper. Fredericks also added a nicely worked assist on Snodgrass’ second goal, too. The opposition wasn’t elite but hopefully, Fredericks can take this performance and build upon it.

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Finally, we come to the man of the match – Grady Diangana. The product of West Ham’s famous academy put on a show in the right wing position in today’s match. Diangana would have earned MOTM honors if he didn’t score because he was just that impressive in holding up the ball and creating for his teammates. That being said, the kid nabbed two.

The match ended with two successive Diangana goals (67′, 82′) which were both well earned. The first came off of a give and go with Rice that Diangana eventually played forward to Powell who returned the ball for him to slam home into the bottom of the net. The second was a really slick run that saw Diangana lose his marker, get in behind on a lovely ball from Powell again, and slot home under the keeper.

Diangana was a star in this match. He was poised on the ball, enjoyed possession, didn’t rush play, and had the swagger of a professional footballer.

Three more shoutouts are needed. Conor Coventry and Joe Powell both made their senior team debuts for West Ham today and both looked solid. Coventry was not on the scoresheet after his halftime sub on in the match but contributed to West Ham’s success by holding up the ball in the midfield and joining in on the passing game.

Joe Powell was much more advanced as he replaced Michail Antonio and used this positioning to nab two assists in the match. Powell has surged up West Ham’s depth chart and has earned this call-up. He is notably one-to-watch from West Ham’s development squad.

The last shout out? It goes to keeper Adrian. He didn’t have much to do in this match only facing two shots on target of five taken, but the keeper kept out a dangerous ball with an unbelievable save early in the match. Adrian bailed out his team that were down Ogbonna who was receiving medical attention and kept momentum in West Ham’s favour. It was an underrated aspect of the match, but Adrian made the saves when he needed to and deserves his credit.

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There you have it, a full goal and match recap from West Ham’s emphatic win over Macclesfield Town. Now that this match is done West Ham can focus on their league match against Manchester United while I can relish the fact that I no longer have to type out “Macclesfield Town”. Happy days!