West Ham Utd 1-0 Sunderland

  • by Staff Writer
  • Saturday, 22nd October 2016

West Ham secured all three points at the Olympic Stadium against Sunderland this afternoon - with virtually the last kick of the game.

With a matter of seconds remaining on the clock, and the game already deep into injury time, Winston Reid stepped up to save West Ham's blushes and secure all three points against a (quite frankly awful) Sunderland side that has now taken just two points from their opening nine fixtures.

That it took so long for the Hammers to break the deadlock will no doubt be the cause of some concern for manager Slaven Bilic and his team. However this narrowest of victories, combined with last weekend's success at Crystal Palace means the Hammers have recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since April and, most importantly, away from immediate danger.




Although match statistics show that there were 30 shots at goal during the game, that only five were on target gives an indication of the sub-par fayre offered by both teams for much of the match. Whilst West Ham dominated the opening proceedings, all they had to show for it was a Dimi Payet's effort that hit the post.


Sunderland, who provided little threat throughout the game enjoyed their best spell at the beginning of the second period; Hammers 'keeper Adrian was forced to react smartly when left one-on-one right at the beginning of the half when the visitors created their best chance of the afternoon.

And they were forced to pay for the lack of ambition when Reid, who had marshalled the defence expertly throughout the preceding 94 minutes picked up a loose ball on the edge of the Black Cats' box before turning smartly and firing home - with practically the final kick of the game.




Although those two wins in eight days have lifted the Hammers three points above the drop zone, they remain 15th in the Premier League table - albeit within reach of Southampton in 8th who current have 12 points, two more than West Ham.


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