I was worried about this one beforehand, even before the break. Every banana skin cop out for not winning was available; first game after the break, tiredness, cold, tough place to go to, busparkers, ref, etc. Thankfully, we only slipped on the last one when the game was already in the bag, of which more anon.
With West Ham unable to put up any resistance to City, the signs looked ominous for us at half time, and if you had offered me 3-0 after an hour, I would have asked "how?" We were struggling to create chances, let alone break them down, and more posters were queueing up to say things about us after the game, than just German Panzer. Then the goal finally came, they had to come out and the floodgates opened up. The 3-0 scoreline looks like we won the easy way, but it was anything but until we went in front.
It looked like it would get even more difficult when they had a penalty appeal at 0-0. With Moss in charge, I expected him to give it, as he's one of the worst refs in the league, but it was the correct decision.
I'm always wanting Hendo to lead by example, take the game by the scruff of the neck and keep a cool head, after all that's what captains do on days like this, in games like that. I don't think I called for the shoving of opponents in their back in their own half. Moss may be keen to dish out red cards to Liverpool players, but Hendo gave him little option this time. It's our first red card since City away last year in the league. Ref? You guessed it.
Other than that, 3 goals and 3 points to give us 33 in total, and another tricky away game safely negotiated. There's only one more trip to London left, away to Fulham.
One other thing though. We've scored just 3 times in the league, and 5 goals overall, before half time in the past two months. We used to be known for flying out of the blocks and getting games won by half time. Now we're usually having to wait a bit longer, but while we're still winning, I suppose it's better late than never.
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