Goals and Highlights: Crystal Palace 2-3 West Ham United in Premier League 2022

A heart-wrenching end to the game as West Ham managed to hold on to their lead - despite late problems.

Michail Antonio strike and a Manuel Lanzini double in the first-half put the Hammers in a comfortable lead.

But two late goals by Odsonne Edouard and Michael Olise weren’t enough for the hosts to equalise.

West Ham are in fifth place, moving to just one point behind Arsenal.

That would’ve been an absolutely insane ending to this game.

A wild cross found Mateta inside the box and the forward hit an overhead kick that *JUST* missed the goal.

Whew.

Oh there will be drama.

Michael Olise’s cross from a free-kick found its way straight into the net.

They can’t, can they?

Manuel Lanzini, the MOTM of the evening, is off for Mark Noble.

Having more men in the middle is definitely what the Hammers need right now.

It was coming, and it’s a much deserved goal as well.

Great cross from Olise found Edouard and the striker nicked the ball into the net.

Could we see some more drama tonight? 

A bit more scramble in the box and from a free spot Ayew shot straight at Issa Diop.

Following corner wasted by the hosts.

Arthur Masuaku has been booked for bringing down Olise, but nothing followed.

Good play for Palace ended with Mitchell’s cross into the box, the ball found Mateta but the Frenchman headed wide.

Meanwhile Jairo Riedewald replaces Will Highes.

And we have another change.

Nikola Vlašić replaces Said Benrahma. That was the wingers final game for West Ham before joining Algeria’s national team at AFCON.

Earlier Jean-Philippe Mateta replaced Luka Milivojević and Michael Olise came on for Christian Benteke for Palace.

What a goal that would’ve been!

Antonio touched a loose ball down and smashed it on a volley from outside the box, but it narrowly missed the goal.

That could’ve been a lovely, lovely goal by the hosts.

Joachim Andersen found Ayew down the wing, his cross was perfect for Edouard but the French forward’s shot was wide.

After a bit of a mixup, the ball found Tyrick Mitchell down the left, but his shot was blocked by Coufal.

A short while later Edouard had a good chance, but dragged his shot over the bar.

46’ And we are back.

One change at HT - Ben Johnson is off, replaced by Arthur Masuaku.

The fullback was on a yellow card.

A very, very comfortable lead for the visitors despite Palace having for than enough chances to have scored.

And their wasted chances cost them dearly as the Hammers put three, brilliant goals by Guaita.

Can Palace turn this around? Or will we see an absolute smashing tonight? We’ll have to wait and see!

Well I was just about to write a Half-Time comment, but there’s another goal!

A very poor control by Luka Milivojević saw him handle the ball inside the box, and the following penalty was converted by Lanzini.

A potential hat-trick on the cards? 

43' This game has been a great goalkeeping show.

After Guaita’s double save early on, Fabiański has also stepped on his top game.

And now he’s yet again denied Benteke whose half-volley was very good, but Fabiański managed to stretch enough to catch it cleanly.

32' So, so close by the hosts.

First, Odsonne Edouard smashed the bar from 11 yards out and seconds later Christian Benteke was denied by Łukasz Fabiański’s feet.

That is a quite ridiculous goal from Manuel Lanzini.

After a great run and opening pass from Declan Rice, the Argentinian skipped past Andersen with some brilliant technique and smashed the ball into the top corner on a half-volley.

Outrageous.

And there he is! Antonio scores again as he looks to have refound his brilliant form!

A fantastic cross from Benrahma was turned in from a very close range by the Jamaican.

15' Oh my, that is one of the best saves I’ve seen in a good while.

Vladimir Coufal got a cross in towards Michail Antonio, the striker managed to get a shot on goal but it was saves by Guaita.

The keeper managed to clear, but it fell straight to Said Benrahma whose header was incredibly kept out by the Spanish keeper.

2' What a start that could’ve been for the hosts!

Will Hughes’ cross was deflected by Craig Dawson, and as it was looking to go out of bounds, Jordan Ayew managed to keep it in.

The forward then teased in Schlupp, who fired the ball into the post from a tough angle.

And we’re underway!

Hoping for a good game here, at Selhurst Park.

Time to start off 2022 with a bang, right?

India: 10:00 PM
South Africa: 6:30 PM
Australia: 3:30 AM
Asia: 11:30 PM - 1:30 AM
Poland: 6:30 PM

You can watch the pre-match live studio on Amazon Prime Video from 4:30PM onwards, with the game kicking off at 5:30PM.

Considering the form of the two teams as well as their latest matchup, which finished with a 2-2 draw, my head would go with another tied result, possibly a 2-2 again.

But I have a feeling that West Ham will continue their good form and end up winners.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-3 West Ham.

Declan Rice is back after not being available against Watford due to reaching the yellow card limit.

Angelo Ogbonna, Kurt Zouma and Aaron Cresswell remain sidelined by injuries and Pablo Fornals is out after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this week.

Fabiański; Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Johnson; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Lanzini, Benrahma; Antonio.

While there is still uncertainity over Conor Gallagher, Nathaniel Clyne, Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze, we know for sure that James McCarthur won’t be available as he remains sideline by an injury.

 

Joachim Andersen is fit despite having to come off against Norwich City earlier this week and Wilfried Zaha is back in contention following a red card.

Guaita; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Schlupp, Kouyate; Ayew, Hughes, Zaha; Edouard.

The referee for Crystal Palace vs West Ham United will be Michael Oliver.

Assisting him will be Stuart Burt and Simon Bennett, with Darren England as the fourth official, with Chris Kavanagh holding the VAR duty.

Well, they’ve been very, VERY good, haven’t they?

Since David Moyes’ return, two years ago, the Hammers have been nothing short of exceptional - on all fronts.

UEFA Europa League group stage winners? Check. Challenging the TOP 4 on a consistent basis? Check. Beating some of the league’s best in a wonderful manner? Check.

Add to that their Carabao Cup results - as they threw out Manchester City and Manchester United, before going out v Tottenham - and you already see a base for a consistent TOP 6 threat.

With the arrival of Patrick Vieira, who previously enjoyed a very average managerial spell at OGC Nice, Palace fans weren’t overly impressed.

But some smart signings, such as Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen to bolster the team’s defensive unit, mixed with a playstyle that just suits the clubs identity started what, so far, has been a very good season.

If The Eagles continue their performances and great transfer business, there is a good chance they will be able to challenge for European football sooner than thought.

The Crystal Palace v West Ham match will be played at the Selhurst Park, London, with a capacity of 25,456 people.

A cool, oldschool and just a typical English football ground with incredible atmosphere and steel beams obstructing the view in the away end. 10/10.

I’m Alan Rzepa and I’ll be your host for this game.

We will provide you with pre-game analysis, score updates, and news as it happens live here on VAVEL.

Because what’s better than spending your New Year’s Day with me, right?