West Ham United ease past Charlton in the cup

West Ham eased past Charlton 3-0 into the next round of the League Cup, thanks to goals from Sebastien Haller and Felipe Anderson.

West Ham Team News

After West Ham’s disappointment against Newcastle on Saturday, manager David Moyes named ten changes to his starting eleven. Opportunities were given to Arthur Masuaku, Robert Snodgrass, Sebastien Haller, Andriy Yarmolenko, Fabian Balbuena, Felipe Anderson and Manuel Lanzini to prove that they still have a place in the team.

Academy players Ben Johnson and Josh Cullen had a chance to show they can be better than the players the club have paid for. The bench also included plenty of academy talents such as Conor Coventry, Xande Silva and Aji Alese.

Match Report: First – Half

The first chance of the match fell West Ham’s way. Snodgrass made some room for himself on the left-wing and floated in a cross. Haller and Yarmolenko both challenged for the ball, but neither were able to connect with the ball.

Only a minute later the Hammers thought they had the lead. Snodgrass was the creator again whipping in a dangerous corner. The ball dropped between a bunch of players. Yarmolenko was able to bundle the ball into the goal, but the referee judged there to be a foul and disallowed the goal.

As West Ham started to dominate, Haller spurned a great chance score the opening goal. Yarmolenko played a perfect through ball for the rushing Johnson. The full-back then ‘Ronaldo-chopped‘ past his defender and laid the ball off to Haller. The Frenchman however, scuffed his shot and fired wide.

The Hammers made their efforts count on the 21st minute. A long ball over the top of the Charlton defence by Cullen found Yarmolenko. The Ukrainian squared the ball to Haller for the easiest of tap-ins for West Ham’s first goal of the season.

The Hammer then quickly fired in their second goal of the game. From the left-wing, Snodgrass curled in a perfect cross for Haller. The striker smashed his header back across and past the goalkeeper to double the Hammers advantage.

Charlton were not out of the match yet, Jonny Williams was able to work some space at the top of the West Ham box. The midfielder hit a powerful effort goalbound, but Darren Randolph was equal to it and pushed it out for a corner.

The Hammers almost made it three before half-time. Yarmolenko was involved again. The 30-year-old played a great ball through to Masuaku who powered into the box. The left-back hit a powerful drive goalbound, Ben Amos however, was able to keep it out with his feet.

Second-Half

Charlton came out the better of the two sides after the restart as they looked to try and get back into the cup tie. Randolph stood firm though and made a couple of crucial saves from Williams and Chuks Aneke.

Yarmolenko could have made it sealed the game on the 55th minute. After some tidy build-up play, Lanzini made it to the byline and pulled it back. The Ukrainian met the cross but could only smash it wide.

The Hammers should have had a penalty on the hour mark. Johnson made a good run on the right-wing. A handball from Charlton defender Deji Oshilaja blatantly diverted the 20-year-old’s cross out for a corner, yet referee Andre Marriner gave the benefit of the doubt to the Addicks.

Snodgrass went close on the 75th minute mark. Cullen won a free-kick thirty yards out after a heavy challenge. The Scot took the responsibility away from Lanzini. Snodgrass’ effort was not a bad one, over the wall with pace but was kept out by a good save by Amos.

West Ham finally had their third on the 80th minute to finish off the match. Lanzini broke into the Charlton box. The Argentine’s footwork was brilliant as he laid of Anderson. The Brazilian then placed his shot into the bottom corner of the goal.

Haller immediately after almost completed his hattrick. The French striker fired a shot from 25-yeards out. Powerful his effort was, it flew high and wide of the goal. Moyes then made his first changes of the match.

Snodgrass and Johnson left the field of play to be replaced by some academy talent. Youngsters Coventry and Harrison Ashby came on and looked to impress in their cameos.

Haller had another chance to complete his hattrick. Lanzini played the ball the striker who had an acre of space to pick his spot. When Haller finally hit his shot, a Charlton defender had made up the ground and put in a brilliant block.

West Ham completed their win and will and will take on either Leeds United or Hull City, who play their fixture tomorrow, in the next round of the League Cup.

West Ham Man of the Match – Sebastien Haller

Haller proved to Moyes today that with the right service, he can be the striker that West Ham needs. In the first half, the Frenchman scored two great striker goals, one tap-in and being in the right place and the second was a perfect header. If Haller can carry that on into the league, then he will become the main man.