With 2018 drawing to a close, Manuel Pellegrini had West Ham United playing the way he envisioned back in August. There were some outstanding performers emerging, some expected, some a pleasant surprise and it was goals galore at London Stadium to end an exciting year of football.
It was a tricky October for the club with international breaks and two ties against bitter rivals, Tottenham Hotspur to deal with, a stumbling block for the Hammers. Into November, the record-fee Brazilian Hammer was becoming a fan favourite with his supply of crucial goals. Burnley visited London Stadium and had pegged the home side’s lead back twice, Felipe Anderson scoring the second goal prior to Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s leveller. In the last ten minutes of a vital home game, Anderson curled home a sublime strike to edge West Ham ahead for a third and final time.
If there was any doubt over the price tag for the former Lazio winger, this was the start of him silencing doubters as he embarked on a run of seven goals in 10 games. As talisman, Marko Arnautovic was injured at the start of December against Cardiff, Anderson’s presence was even more important in the hopes of a successful run into Christmas.
Another player, a surprise package, who was quietly asserting his spot as a first-team regular was Robert Snodgrass. He possessed a wand of a left-foot and a tireless work-rate, but it hadn’t worked out at West Ham since he joined two years ago, until Pellegrini showed faith. He helped take Aston Villa to a play-off final last season, and was now putting in superb displays weekly in the Premier League.
The Scotsman set up two in West Ham’s brilliant 3-0 away win at Newcastle. The start of a week which tallied up nine goals, nine points and a first Premier League goal for the club for Snodgrass. He bagged another two assists in a midweek 3-1 win over Cardiff City, before finding the net himself in a London Derby against Crystal Palace.
Despite falling behind inside five minutes, West Ham came back strongly in the second half as they did against Cardiff. They blitzed past the Welsh team with three goals in 12 second-half minutes, it was three in 17 minutes versus Palace. Snodgrass was lifting the crowd with his determined runs and work-rate, but it was a goal that everyone really wanted. On the 48th minute, he hit a shot from outside the box which deceived the keeper and the relief poured out of him, a great moment at London Stadium.
Anderson scored one of the goals of the year, curling a sublime shot in from 20 yards out sealing the victory. More London bragging rights followed away at Fulham and an Anderson brace beat Southampton either side of a disappointing defeat at home to Watford. A tiring festive period culminated with defeat to Burnley.
Another eventful year at London Stadium comes to an end, let’s hope for more drama, eye-catching moments and shining stars in 2019.
We have Muse, Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees and Saracens vs Harlequins already lined up, don’t miss out.
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