Gillingham made it tough, but West Ham onto fourth round of the FA Cup

It wasn’t pretty, but in the end, it was effective as David Moyes’ men move on after a gritty Gillingham team give West Ham all they can handle in a tough FA Cup tie.

The team selection was positive before the game even started. West Ham were deployed in a three-at-the-back formation, a 5-3-2, and supporters were ecstatic. David Moyes used this formation in his previous stint at the club and the attacking fullbacks, lack of midfield options, and strong centre-back core made it a no-brainer for the manager here.

Mark Noble, Aaron Cresswell, and Pablo Fornals dropped out of the team with Issa Diop joining the formation and Manuel Lanzini drawing in as a starter in this game. It wouldn’t matter, however, as Gillingham were fully prepared to start on time and push the Hammers immensely in the opening half.

A few opportunities were there for the Hammers, most coming from Sebastien Haller up top with the ball being lobbed up to him. He did well to hold up play by himself, but the high press the Hammers deployed against Bournemouth was nowhere to be seen for the Irons and Gillingham used their speed to push back Moyes’ team who were clearly still adjusting to a new formation.

The first half would end goalless, but a load of corner kicks and dangerous attacks would see Gillingham the unanimous winners of the first half.

The second half started with a massive opportunity for Haller that he ended up sending long out of play, the pressure he brought, however, was the catalyst the Hammers needed. The second half saw a professional, controlled West Ham team play a lot more settled and confident, holding onto the ball and making the incisive runs that eventually made the difference.

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Pablo Zabaleta‘s substitution on for the hamstrung Ryan Fredericks in the 43rd minute is a bigger issue for the team, however, in the 73rd minute, the Argentine would get his first West Ham goal and first FA Cup goal. A beautiful run by Masuaku would see his cross find and ping off Fornals to Zabaleta who struck is hard enough to go through the keeper’s arm and body to open the scoring.

It wasn’t the picture-perfect goal you’d want from a Premier League team playing a League One team, but it was monumental for the team who seemed to be lacking confidence in the first half. The Hammers would continue on their possession-based game after this, only looking vulnerable late on in the match with Gillingham pushing for a late equalizer.

This would work West Ham’s way though, as the all-out attack would see a counter drop to Sebastien Haller who found Felipe Anderson (barely), who set up Pablo Fornals for a thunderous strike past the near post in the 94th minute. Match over, job done.

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It was nervous at times, but the Hammers did their job. David Moyes has now gone 2-0, six goals for, two clean sheets and has secured a berth in the 4th round of the FA Cup. More drilling on formation and tactics are certainly coming ahead of the Sheffield United match, but for now, it’s job done for the East Londoners.

MATCH REVIEW: Gillingham made it tough, but West Ham onto fourth round of the FA Cup

By Adam Smith | Jan 5, 2020

It wasn’t pretty, but in the end, it was effective as David Moyes’ men move on after a gritty Gillingham team give West Ham all they can handle in a tough FA Cup tie.

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