Upon Further Review: Chicharito opens 2019/20 account

West Ham started off poor this season, conceding five goals and not scoring any in their opener against Manchester City. Upon Further Review will look back at the goals scored, and after this Brighton match, we have one to look at!

No one was particularly happy with seeing Javier Hernandez atop the team sheet. It wasn’t anything against him, but Sebastien Haller was our record signing and we wanted him to muscle his way through an injury knock sustained against Manchester City.

Regardless, Haller was out and the wantaway Mexican striker took his place in the 4-1-4-1 formation. Yes, isolated, which is an issue in itself, but combine that with three 6’4″ center-backs and Hernandez predictably disappeared for 90% of this match.

The stats support this two. With 83 minutes played, the striker only had 18 touches of the ball. What should be celebrated, however, is that one of those touches was a shot on goal and it went in.

He isn’t going to win anyone over with his work rate or his passion for the club, but once in the box Chcharito rarely misses an opportunity to score. His goal against Brighton was a perfect example of this, as a perfectly timed, onside run from Hernandez eliminated the size disparage he faced and sliced through the center-halves. He allowed the ball to run past him to give him an angle to shoot and put it through Mat Ryan to open his account for 2019/20, with his first as the Hammers’ #9.

Of course, the twitter trolls couldn’t wait to slate Chicharito on this goal. The most common comment was “why didn’t he square the ball to Antonio… just like Kane to Sterling” which is completely assinine and uncalled for. Hating on your clubs player for scoring a goal because you thought he should have passed it should be disqualification on its own.

Mix in the fact that this goal put the Hammers up and ensured they got a point and you have to laugh at those critics. Hernandez is a goal scorer, so when he gets a look at goal he’s going to shoot the ball. If you don’t like it I would suggest a different team to support.

Anyways, back to the important thing – the goal. Hernandez’s perfect run was picked out by Manuel Lanzini, who combined with Arthur Masuaku to tear up the left side of the pitch and keep possession of the ball. The perfectly weighted pass was securely tucked in and long story short, West Ham get a point.

There will be plenty more goals to come, but how many more for Hernandez? With Haller likely back to face Watford next week, I predict more bench duty for the veteran striker, despite his goal against the Gulls.