A L B I O N B U L L E T I N ( 2 )
17 AUGUST 2019 - BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1 ( Leandro Trossard
1 - 65 minutes ) WEST HAM UNITED 1 ( Javier Hernandez 1 - 61
minutes ) - PREMIER LEAGUE - at the AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY
STADIUM, FALMER.
Following last week's excellent 3-0 victory at Watford, for their first home game of the
2019-2020 Premier League campaign, the Albion welcomed West Ham United to the
Amex. After a shaky start to last season under then new Manager Manuel Pellegrini
the Hammers recovered to finish in 10th position in the league with 52 points from their
38 games played.
Albion Head Coach Graham Potter made one change to his starting line-up from the
Watford game, with new signing Belgian international winger Leandro Trossard replacing
Jurgen Locadia for his Premier League debut for the Albion, following his £18 million
summer move from Belgian Champions KRC Genk.
After their 0-5 defeat at home to Champions Manchester City on the 10 August, West
Ham Manager Manuel Pellegrini made five changes to his starting line-up from that game
with Angelo Ogbonna, Arthur Masuaka, Robert Snodgrass, new-signing Pablo Fornals
and Javier Hernandez coming in for Fabian Balbuena, Aaron Cresswell (injured), MIchail
Antonio, Felipe Anderson (injured) and Sebastien Haller (injured).
In the corresponding fixture at the Amex last season on the 5 October 2018 the Albion
beat West Ham 1-0, with the deciding goal being scored by Glenn Murray on 25 minutes.
The Albion line-up on the 5 October 2018 was (4-4-1-1):- Mathew Ryan; Bruno Saltor
(Capt), Shane Duffy, Lewis Dunk, Gaetan Bong; Anthony Knockaert, Beram Kayal,
Davy Propper (Yves Bissouma 81), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Jose Izquierdo 71); Solly
March (Jurgen Locadia 86); Glenn Murray. Subs not used: David Button (G/K), Leon
Balogun, Bernardo, Florin Andone.
The Albion came ever so close to making the ideal start in the very first minute, when
Pascal Gross sent in a free-kick from the left and Seagulls defender Dan Burn out-jumped
the West Ham defence but from six yards out saw his free header clear the Hammers
crossbar. Burn should have at least hit the target with this gilt-edged opportunity.
Thereafter both teams attempted to sound each other out but then the Albion took charge
of proceedings and efforts by Gross and Dale Stephens were blocked by the Hammers
defence. On 24 minutes West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski was called into action,
turning Stephens curled shot from distance over the bar. Minutes later keeper Fabianski
made a fine save to deny Solly March. Just prior to the half hour mark Burn saw his
excellent cross find debutant Leandro Trossard and the Belgian fired a perfect low volley
past keeper Fabianski for what he thought was his first goal for the Albion. Upon a VAR
check it was found that Burn was marginally offside when sending in the cross and the
goal was disallowed. In an isolated attack by the Hammers Declan Rice fired a shot
wide, much to the glee of the Albion supporters. Half-time 0-0.
It was all Albion at the start of the second-half and on 56 minutes Trossard missed a
great chance to put the Seagulls ahead when he pulled his shot wide from ten yards
out following good work by Captain Lewis Dunk and Gross. This miss was to prove
costly as on 61 minutes the predator that is Javier Hernandez evaded Albion's offside
trap to slot the ball past Albion goalkeeper Mathew Ryan to give West Ham an
undeserved lead. 0-1. Not to worry as on 65 minutes the Albion were level. Talisman
Glenn Murray held the ball up superbly then fed Trossard who was in space and the
Belgian evaded Hammers defender Issa Diop before firing a right-footed shot past
keeper Fabianski into the bottom left-hand corner of the net. An excellent goal and the
Belgian's first goal for the Albion. 1-1. Going for the winner, the Albion brought on
Neal Maupay for Gross on 67 minutes and Florin Andone for Murray on 74 minutes.
Keeper Fabianski then made a magnificent save to keep out a Davy Propper header,
following a fine cross from the left Martin Montoya. On 85 minutes Aaron Mooy came
on for his Albion debut, replacing Trossard, who left the field to a standing ovation.
Both teams then went for the winner with Albion keeper Ryan denying both Robert
Snodgrass and Michail Antonio and Hammers keeper Fabianski denied Albion
substitute Neal Maupay as he ran through. A game Albion should have won but a
good display nontheless. Final-score 1-1.
The Albion had 16 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 8 corners, free-kicks
conceded - 11. West Ham had 8 attempts at goal, with 3 on target and won 6
corners, free-kicks conceded - 10.
VERDICT - A good performance by the Seagulls in their first home match of the
season. Debutant Leandro Trossard scored on his debut and also had a first-half
goal disallowed by VAR. The Albion dominated the game for long periods and
were unlucky not to win the game. Defender Dan Burn was outstanding again.
Albion line-up (3-4-3):- Mathew Ryan; Shane Duffy, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Dan
Burn; Martin Montoya, Dale Stephens, Davy Propper, Solly March; Pascal
Gross (Neal Maupay 67), Glenn Murray (Florin Andone 74), Leandro Trossard
(Aaron Mooy 85). Subs not used: David Button (G/K), Adam Webster, Bernardo,
Jurgen Locadia.
West Ham United (4-2-3-1):- Lukasz Fabianski; Ryan Fredericks, Issa Diop,
Angelo Ogbonna, Arthur Masuaka; Declan Rice, Robert Snodgrass; Jack
Wilshere (Michail Antonio 46), Manuel Lanzini, Pablo Fornals (Andriy
Yarmolenko 77); Javier Hernandez (Carlos Sanchez 83). Subs not used:
Roberto Jimenez (G/K), Pablo Zabaleta, Fabian Balbuena, Albian Ajeti.
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Greater Manchester).
Yellow Cards: West Ham United: 2 - Arthur Masuaka, Declan Rice.
Possession: Albion - 57%. West Ham United - 43%.
Attendance: 30459.
NEXT GAME - SOUTHAMPTON - HOME - PREMIER LEAGUE -
24 AUGUST 2019.
The Saints have made an indifferent start to their 2019-2020 campaign,
losing 0-3 at Burnley on the opening day and then 1-2 at home to Liverpool.
Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl will be looking to his team to get their first points
of the season at the Amex so as with every Premier League game the Albion
will have to be on their game to pick up the points. Come on Albion.
Jack Kaye
20 August 2019.
