West Ham hold off impressive Newport County team in Cup win

This match was a potential banana skin waiting for the Hammers, as Newport County looked a strong team despite the eventual 2-0 loss to West Ham. With strong performances from fringe players, the mood is calm in East London as the Irons advance in the Carabao Cup.

The starting lineup for West Ham was strong, to say the least. Albian Ajeti got his first West Ham start, Pablo Fornals and Jack Wilshere patrolled the midfield, Michail Antonio and Robert Snodgrass were out wide, Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena were in central defense, and Pablo Zabaleta and Aaron Cresswell were on the flanks.

No Nathan Holland to start or on the bench was a surprise, though. Michail Antonio started in his spot after a strong showing against Watford on the weekend. In typical West Ham fashion, Antonio, who was shaping up to be a key player for the Hammers, pulled up lame just eight minutes into the match with what is feared to be a torn hamstring.

As always, hindsight is 20/20 but this injury was extremely avoidable and also extremely predictable. Antonio has a propensity to get injured and an early Cup match isn’t worth risking him when you have players like Fornals or Holland who can start in his place. Felipe Anderson stepped on to replace him in this match.

Newport did well to put pressure on early against West Ham. Outside of a Fornals post shot, Newport dictated play and made backup keeper Roberto step up and prove his worth which he did early and often in this match.

West Ham’s opening goal came just before the end of the first half. A misplayed ball by Wilshere was recovered by the midfielder who took it into the box, unmarked, and calmly finished past a helpless keeper. This goal will erase a lot of criticism on Wilshere, especially in the first half, but he grew into the match with a strong second half. Despite the success, I fear he won’t have the chance against better opposition in Premier League play.

Before the first half was out, Fornals had another chance which forced the Newport keeper to make a terrific save. Fornals looked a threat throughout the match, showing off his passing more than anything else.

The Hammers would find another gear in the second half, dominating the match and eventually doubling their lead by way of a well-worked Fornals goal. Ajeti would draw the center-back coverage that allowed Fornals to slip in behind and score a tap-in, amongst a packed box of Newport and West Ham players.

Newport had two glorious chances in the second half, a blistering ball across the backline that narrowly missed the forward at the back post, and a Coventry turnover that would slam against the crossbar past a hopeless Roberto. No harm and no foul as both stayed out to preserve the shutout for Roberto.

Outside of the Antonio injury, this match was a success for the Hammers. The backline kept a clean sheet, fringe players were involved and impactful, Roberto looked strong as the Cup keeper, and the win was sealed in the end. Hopefully, a favorable draw comes the Irons way and the Cup run continues!