Manuel Pellegrini’s first season in charge of West Ham United was the Hammers’ best yet at home, despite a slow start. London Stadium was a fortress at the start of 2019, the side going seven unbeaten at home. It’s also seen goals galore, the Hammers scoring three or more goals on seven occasions, including defeating Manchester United and Arsenal.
We put together a little list of ten memorable moments at London Stadium this campaign, and here’s one to five:
Robert Snodgrass’ first Premier League goal (West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace)
The Scotsman has been an unlikely constant in Pellegrini’s team this season, after a loan spell at Aston Villa last year. In the space of a week at the start of December, Snodgrass showed his worth to West Ham.
Beating Newcastle 3-0, and days later Cardiff 3-1, the winger had contributed three assists but was yet to score himself. When Crystal Palace visited London Stadium, his moment finally came. The Hammers were 1-0 down into the second half, on his trusted left-foot outside the box, he fired past Wayne Hennessey. The celebrations showed his delight and relief in equal measure, cementing his place as a firm fan favourite.
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Diangana and the young Hammers break records (West Ham 8-0 Macclesfield Town)
The Carabao Cup is often a good competition for easing in youth talents into the first team. West Ham took on Macclesfield Town in the third round and those granted the opportunities, flourished. 20-year-old Grady Diangana was embedding into the first-team squad, but this was his first start and he stole the show.
London Stadium was craving a debut goal for him, there had already been six as West Ham were coasting through, Diangana going close but not scoring yet. Then, with the help of Lucas Perez’s pass, Diangana was cool in front of goal to claim his first senior goal, an unforgettable moment. It got even better, academy debutant Joe Powell finding the star man again, and he scored his second. Youth captain Conor Coventry also marked his debut, it was an evening the next generation of Hammers introduced themselves
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Rice strikes down Arsenal in coming-of-age performance (West Ham 1-0 Arsenal)
Everyone loves a player who has risen through the ranks, one they can call their own. This season, Pellegrini moved 20-year-old Declan Rice into central midfield and it proved a masterstroke. He is industrious, composed and confident with and without the ball, perfectly complementing club captain Mark Noble.
In January, West Ham faced Arsenal in a London Derby at London Stadium. The atmosphere was electric with the feistiness of a local derby on show. In the 48th minute, the stadium roared, as Rice became a first-team goal-scorer. Brilliantly teed up by Samir Nasri, he unleashed an unstoppable drive past Bernd Leno and showed just how much it meant. A day every West Ham fan could be proud of, one of their own lighting up a London Derby victory. Rice was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year to recognise his astonishing campaign.
Carroll’s Cup Comeback (West Ham 2-0 Birmingham)
There aren’t many footballers who have had to deal with the amount of injury setbacks that Andy Carrol has had. The athletic giant burst onto the scene at Newcastle United nine years ago, was bought by Liverpool and then scored for England at Euro 2012. Since then, he has been plagued by knocks and setbacks at West Ham, but his quality never doubted, remember that overhead kick against Crystal Palace?
In January, he made his first appearance of the season in the FA Cup against Birmingham City and his determination to score was relentless. First, he crashed a header against the bar, he got closer when he rounded the keeper and rolled the ball past the post, yet Carroll couldn’t catch a break. Until in stoppage time, a second header found the net and was greeted with a roar of relief, Carroll was emotional in his celebrations in a truly heart-warming moment.
Inspired Arnautovic saves the day (West Ham 2-2 Brighton)
Marko Arnautovic has lit up London Stadium many a time since he signed two years ago, often winning the game with his own majestic moments. Going 2-0 down to Brighton in two second-half minutes, ignited another special performance from the forward.
In the 66th minute, captain Mark Noble lofted a ball through and he held off his man to pull a goal back for the hosts, game on. A breath-taking second half had its fourth goal in just 12 minutes, Michail Antonio with the cross and another close-range finish from Arnautovic.
The points were shared, but it was a game that once again proved the individual quality of Marko Arnautovic.
