It's July 2nd and West Ham United have just had their first competitive game of the season, before many Premier League sides have even had their sides report back for pre-season training. The club led 2-0 at half-time, before going on to win the game by three goals to nil.
Prior to the game, there was an awful lot of excitement amongst the home fans; for the season to start, to play in Europe and, to have Slaven Bilic unveiled to the club. To put it into perspective, Tottenham have not sold out a single UEFA Europa League game in any of their campaigns in the competition - whereas West Ham sold out the Home allocation within a matter of days. Interestingly, this also led to club sponsor Betway bringing a (rather amateur) of the game as no broadcasters were picking the game up.
The first half was, initially, quite cagey - in that it came across much like a pre-season game. Whilst the timing of it most certainly is, it couldn't be further away from a pre-season game, in that these qualifying games could result in the club getting into the Europa League group stages. The first change of the night was created by an invigorated and lively Matt Jarvis; he cut in on his right foot before whipping in a deep cross which evaded everyone in the box, but Diafra Sakho, who snuck in at the back post but just couldn't nudge the ball into the gaping net. Jarvis was the provider for the majority of the half - setting up chances for both Morgan Amalfitano and Reece Burke, whose header was turned around the post.
Soon after, it was Sakho who broke the deadlock for the Hammers. Mauro Zaraté, having dropped deeper throughout the half, found the ball near the half-way area before skipping through several challenges. Then, he unselfishly lofted the ball to the back post for Sakho to nod home from point-blank range. To the Home fans shock, Lusitan's attempted to score from the resulting kick off. It only took the hosts a few more minutes to double their lead, superb work down the right hand side saw the ball pulled back for Sakho, who side-footed the ball into the net with ease. 2-0 West Ham, right before the half-time whistle blew.
The second-half saw the tempo stay at a steady, but very comfortable, speed. Lusitans for the most part were unable to carry the ball successfully past the half-way line. There were moments of excitement though, most notably a piece of sheer indiviudal brilliance from Zaraté who, on the half volley, tried to catch the opposition 'keeper off-guard with a very long and ambitious attempt. Not wanting to be outdone by the Argentine, West Ham's youngest ever player, Reece Oxford, also unleashed a fierce strike - which narrowly flashed wide of the post from outside the box.
The third and final goal came courtesy of centre-back James Tomkins, who was captain for the night. This was the result of a fine piece of play, which saw Jarvis dink a clever ball into his path to nod home from close range with seeming ease. There were a few more moments for the home supporters to cheer about, which saw the team made up of eight out of the eleven solely from the Academy.
It was almost an Academy-sub made goal for a late fourth, Elliot Lee twisted and turned in the box before clipping a ball to Parfitt-Williams, whose eventual header was well saved by Lusitans' goalkeeper. Lusitans' players seemed happy to go down at the slightest of touches as the half wore on, coupled with the substitutions and the match gradually fizzled out as the clock ticked down. Into injury time and we were treated to what would have been a truly sensational goal - Josh Cullen receiving the ball just inside the corner of the box, and curling an attempt which cannoned off the crossbar with the 'keeper seemingly rooted to the spot in disbelief.
West Ham eased past their opponents and, will carry a healthy scoreline into the second leg next week when they travel to Andorra.
Player Ratings:
Randolph - 5: Probably the quietest evening that he will have in goal for West Ham. Other than having to react quickly to a very optimistic attempt from the halfway line, he had little to do other than passing the ball out.
O'Brien - 6: Comes in for some criticism from Hammers' fans, but he enjoyed a solid performance tonight and helped the attack throughout as opposed to sitting deep and inviting pressure. Was involved in the second goal, which helped them on their way to a more-than-encouraging victory.
Tomkins - 6: Guiding the youngsters at the back, Tomkins not only guided those around him through the game, but he also managed to help the side get through the evening with the third goal. An all-round solid display.
Burke - 7: Despite being a defender, Burke had more than his fair share of opportunities to score. His defensive work was tested moreso in the second-half, when a reshuffle saw him shifted to right-back. Still, he bombed forward whilst defending solidly and with maturity for such a young player.
Page - 6: In the first half he was brilliant, always bombing forward and overlapping his winger, much in the vein that first-teamer Aaron Cresswell plays. In the second half he had obviously tired, but he still put in some dangerous balls into the box.
Oxford - 8: Central midfielder, centre back, brilliant passer and a brilliant presence on the pitch. What more could you want from a 16 year old? He went close to marking the occasion with a fine attempt, but, he performed marvellously throughout.
Poyet - 6: Something of a disappointment, if you can have one considering the result. Poyet was key to proceedings in the middle of the park, but he often found himself giving the ball away more regularly than his fellow team-mates.
Jarvis - 8.5: MOTM. It may come as a surprise, regardless of the opposition, that he was a consistent threat when running at, and past, his defenders with ease. He put the Lusitan's players on their behinds almost as regularly as they went down with cramp. He was also consistently praising and encouraging Page behind him, which is what you want from the senior players in these situations.
Amalfitano - 6: He wasn't really involved in the game as much, he produced some neat link-up play - but he struggled to really stamp his authority on the game itself.
Sakho - 6.5: He looked rusty. That's no criticism, it was bound to be that way. Having just returned from injury, then into a very early start to his season, it was expected. Despite that, Sakho notched two goals, and took them with style. That being said though, he could have had more.
Zaraté - 6: He was hardly in the game until he started dropping deeper, at which point he was in his element. Turning on the ball and skipping past numerous players - it was him at his best. He still has an un-nerving tendency to not pass the ball to team-mates in better positions than himself though.
Substitutes:
Cullen - 7: Really impressed in the middle of the pitch. Held onto the ball well, drove at his player, and went awfully close with a top drawer effort in the dying minutes of the match.
Parfitt-Williams - 5: Didn't see enough of the ball to warrant a higher marking. He showed glimpses of neat link-up play with Burke down the right, and could've scored shortly after coming on.
Lee - 6: The cliched short-centre forward. Play the ball in behind the defence and most likely, he will have made an intelligent diagonal run. He went close to scoring after one of these, as well as almost providing an assist for Parfitt-Williams.