Having slipped from a short lived top 2 we are now 8th, with 2 teams behind us having games in hand, and wins by them would put us 10th or 11th. That's how precarious things are at the moment.Both Manchesters' are now ahead of us. West Ham game is the first of 4 crucial to us staying in the top half, let alone the top 4. We then meet Arsenal , Aston Villa and then City. Hope our "Christmas" slump is halted this year starting with the Hammers. Looks like we might get CHO on the pitch this game, but not Ziyech, and now Reece James is very "iffy" and needs a knee operation, hopefully only a keyhole job. Never a dull moment, and never a better time to get back on track. COYB.
If Ziyech and/or Hudson Odoi are fit I’d go with Werner down the middle and Pulisic left. Rest of the team picks itself If they’re fit but I’d have Kovacic over Havertz.
Instead we get Jorginho and Abraham !!!!! Started well then reverted to the familiar 10 passes backwards and forwards between the back 4 with everyone else falling into a stupor. Every attack is down the sidelines and crosses met by 6 defenders. Abraham as always, half a second too slow to everything, Jorginho slowing things down and losing the ball. Boy do we need a direct runner, straight down the middle, we are easy pickings always down the sidelines, and far too slow with everything . Great header by Silva, but no link up play or serious attacks yet. More speed, power adventure and intent required from everyone. 2nd half. Off goes Jorginho, up goes the pace and directness. Werner sets up Abraham who scores really well, then does it again from another proper attack. Took both his goals well but general play not so impressive. He needs better service too, it came with Kovacic on the pitch. 3 very needed points, good result, but not our best display. Bit hard on Hammers who were impressive for long periods.
Really felt for him to be honest, he missed a chance early and hammered a good shot over the goalkeeper into the bar from a tricky angle.Did set up Abrahams' first, so he's getting closer, maybe trying too hard. He does need better service though and surely a run in the middle??
Order of best mins-per-goal from last season to this (excluding pens): Tammy Abraham Danny Ings Raheem Sterling Calvert-Lewin Harry Kane Jamie Vardy Marcus Rashford
