Tag: Angelo Ogbonna

Michail Antonio edges West Ham to crucial 1-0 Burnley win

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

In a game of sporadic chances at both ends it was fans favourite Michail Antonio’s early strike that made the key difference.

The Hammers looked positive in the opening minutes in East London and Antonio seized his opportunity to put them ahead on nine minutes.

Pablo Fornals’ whipped cross deceived Clarets defender James Tarkowski and Antonio kept his cool to fire past Nick Pope.

Moyes’ hosts could and should have extended their lead just before the break but Angelo Ogbonna’s header clattered back off the post.

West Ham continued to edge things after the restart with Jarrod Bowen flashing an effort just wide and Declan Rice testing Pope.

But despite dominating the majority of the game, West Ham’s inability to find a second goal almost came back to bite them as Dwight McNeil and Jay Rodriguez both wasted half chances but the Hammers had just enough to hold on.

Full Time from the London Stadium it’s West Ham 1 Burnley 0

In form West Ham fight back to win 2-1 at Leeds United

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

David Moyes’ side now have four wins in their last five games as a late goal from Angelo Ogbonna secured a vital three points in Yorkshire.

The home side were the quickest out of the traps in the opening stages as midfielder Matheusz Klich put from in front after four minutes.

Lukasz Fabianski tangled with Patrick Bamford to concede a rash spot kick and despite saving Klich first penalty.

Referee Michael Oliver penalised the Polish international for straying off his line and Klich confidently tucked home his second attempt.

That early goal opened the game up in the first half hour, with both keepers called into rapid action, before Tomas Soucek deservedly nodded West Ham level.

Jarrod Bowen swung a deep corner into far post and Soucek was too hot to handle in the box as he stooped to head past Illan Meslier.

That goal boosted the visitors confidence after the restart as Meslier bravely saved from Sebastien Haller.

Both sides did create chances to win it the final stages, but West Ham’s set piece power proved the difference again as Ogbonna headed home the winner.

Aaron Cresswell whipped free kick found the Italian in space inside Leeds’ box and he emphatically powered past Meslier.

Full Time at Elland Road it’s Leeds United 1 West Ham 2

West Ham ride luck in 2-1 win vs Aston Villa

Posted on by Jim Salveson

The Hammers have made their best start to a season since they moved to the London Stadium four years ago but won’t have many fond memories from this lacklustre display other than the three points they take from the match.

A missed penalty from Ollie Watkins and a disallowed goal courtesy of VAR could easily have swung the result the other way but as it stands two goals, early in each half, was enough to seal the win for David Moyes.

West Ham started well with a goal inside the first two minutes of the game when Ogbonna headed home from a Jared Bowen corner after Tomas Soucek’s early shot was deflected wide.

Villa slowly grew into the game with Ezri Konsa heading over and Conor Hourihane tested Lucas Fabianski with a tasty free-kick before Jack Grealish levelled things up on 25mins with a deflected shot from 20 yards.

With West Ham offering little in the half outside of the goal, David Moyes rang the changes at half time hooking the returning Michael Antonio and Arthur Masuaku in favour of Sebastian Haller and Said Benrahma – the latter of which set up what turned out to be the winning goal within 30 seconds of the restart – swinging in a pinpoint cross with his right foot that was met by the head of Jared Bowen to net.

Aston Villa responded with Ollie Watkins laying a guilt edge opportunity on a plate for Trezeguet who somehow found Lucas Fabianski’s outstretched arm when it would have been easier to score.
Watkins then had the opportunity to score himself after Declan Rice was adjudged to have fouled Trezeguet in the box for the slightest pull on the Egyptians shirt but instead, Watkins missed the resuting penalty kick, striking the crossbar high to the keepers right.

The summer signing from Brentford thought he had rescued a point for the Midlands outfit in stoppage time as he tapped home Matt Targett’s cross but the VAR officials thought otherwise judging the striker to be marginally offside and handing West Ham a third straight win that takes them above Manchester City, Manchester United, Wolves and Southampton in the table.

Premier League: Sheffield United vs West Ham

Posted on by Marley Anderson

This time last season, the Blades were sitting comfortably in 13th in the table having taken nine points from their first eight games. Fast forward just over a year and Chris Wilder’s side are having a tougher time of it, propping up the table with just one point.

There have been some signs of improvement lately though, taking the lead against Liverpool and Chelsea in recent weeks before succumbing to the Premier League powerhouses, while a 1-0 defeat at home to Man City can hardly be considered a disaster.

There’s mixed injury news for Wilder coming into the weekend, with Lys Mousset, John Fleck and Enda Stevens all in with a chance of making the squad after injuries. The Blades boss says he will give the bunch as much time as possible to make it.

Rhian Brewster should be OK after muscular tightness, and Ethan Ampadu is back after missing the game against his parent club last time out.

John Egan was taken off during Ireland’s 3-0 defeat to England last week and was showing signs of concussion, so he’ll be a late call on whether he’ll be involved, while Jack O’Connell is likely out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

As for West Ham, David Moyes says Michail Antonio is back in training after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury, and will be given as much time as he needs before making a decision on his selection. Seb Haller is in line to continue in his absence if he’s left out.

Angelo Ogbonna was substituted early against Fulham last time out with a knock, but should retain his place in the Hammers defence on Sunday after recovering.

Andriy Yarmolenko tested positive for COVID while away with Ukraine last week and is expected to miss out while following isolation protocol.

Other than him, David Moyes has a fully fit squad to choose from and is unlikely to make too many changes to the side that edged past Fulham before the break.

Said Benrahma is set to continue his cameo role from the bench as he waits for his first Hammers start, while Mark Noble may join him after recovering from a rib injury.

West Ham can move into the top half of the table with a win, while the Blades will be hoping their first win of the season can move them out of the relegation zone.