1. Off the mark
West Ham United are off the mark for the 2024/25 Premier League season.
After a disappointing home defeat by Aston Villa on the opening weekend, the Hammers produced an improved all-round performance to win 2-0 at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The Irons rode out a strong first-half performance from the Eagles, who had won their previous four home games, scoring 16 goals in the process, before pulling away in the second.
Tomas Soucek set the ball rolling with a trademark first-time finish, arriving late into the penalty area to fire home after good build-up play involving debutant Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jarrod Bowen.
Captain Bowen then made sure of the win with a superb run and finish after being sent clear by man of the match Maximilian Kilman, who ended one of a succession of runs out of defence with a devastating through ball that grounded the Eagles.
At the back, goalkeeper Alphonse Areola led a resilient defensive performance, making a key early save from Eberechi Eze.
There were also important impacts made by the substitutes, with Wan-Bissaka catching the eye and Edson Alvarez returning from a hamstring injury to shore up the back line in the closing stages.
2. Keeping it clean
West Ham United and clean sheets were a rare occurrence in the first half of 2024.
Prior to Saturday’s 2-0 win at Crystal Palace, the Hammers’ most-recent shutout in the Premier League was way back on New Year’s Day, when we played out a goalless home draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Following that, the Irons failed to prevent their opponents from scoring in 19 top-flight games in succession – a run which ultimately played a big part in preventing the Club qualifying for European football for a fourth consecutive season.
At Selhurst Park, however, the Hammers rediscovered their resilience, keeping out a famed Palace attack that had plundered 16 goals in their previous four home matches at the end of last season, including five in a thumping win over West Ham in April.
Key to this welcome clean sheet was the form of goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, who made a fine first-half stop to deny Eberechi Eze, who also curled a shot against the crossbar late in the first half.
In the second, the back four stood tall, with centre-backs Maximilian Kilman and Dinos Mavropanos imperious and substitute Aaron Wan-Bissaka impressing hugely on debut. Both Wan-Bissaka and Kilman played their part in the visitors’ two match-winning goals, too.
3. Squad depth pays off
Julen Lopetegui has spoken of his desire to have two senior players for every position in his squad – and that depth paid off in Saturday’s win at Crystal Palace.
The Hammers were able to name 20 experienced players in their matchday squad, while the likes of Nayef Aguerd, Maxwel Cornet, Wes Foderingham and Andy Irving were not required at Selhurst Park.
It is a position the Head Coach wanted to be in, and his substitutes most certainly played their part as West Ham finished their 2-0 victory strongly at Selhurst Park.
Playing against his former club, Aaron-Wan Bissaka enjoyed a superb cameo, producing a strong forward run that led to Tomas Soucek’s opening goal, then defending resiliently in the closing stages as Palace pushed for a way back into the game.
Edson Alvarez used all his experience to shield the back four on his return from injury, while Niclas Fullkrug led the line well and could even have netted his first goal in English football late on.
And Aaron Cresswell was introduced for his 350th West Ham appearance late on – 26th in the Club’s all-time list – and helped his side see the game out alongside fellow replacement Jean-Clair Todibo.
4. Another brilliant Bowen away day
At the start of last season, Jarrod Bowen set a Premier League record by scoring in West Ham United’s first six Premier League away games.
The No20 finished the season with eight goals scored away from home – half of the 16 he netted to match Paolo Di Canio’s single-season record set 24 years previously.
And Bowen was at it again at Selhurst Park, scoring on his travels yet again. Who knows, maybe he will net in the Irons’ next six away games and set a new record?
