Truly a game of two halves

Jussi Jaaskelainen fouls Norwich City's Gary Hooper for the penalty (Image: PA Wire/Press Association Images)

It’s the ultimate football cliché but it really does sum up the game at Carrow Road on Saturday night...truly it was a game of two halves.

In the first half West Ham were in complete control, stylishly knocking the ball about in the manner of a continental champions league team and carving Norwich open at will; culminating in Ravel Morrison putting the Cockney boys 1-0 up.

It could and should’ve been more as The Hammers spurned several opportunities to wrap up the game before half-time.

West Ham were in complete control of the match up until a disastrous moment in the secondnd half when Jussi Jaaskelainen, who’s been exceptional this season, dropped what looked a routine catch and fouled Gary Hooper as he attempted to make amends. Now, in my humble opinion, this single error which lead to the Hooper equalising from the spot, changed the whole complexion of the game; West Ham’s heads went down and Norwich’s collective chest puffed out.

Suddenly it was Norwich dominating possession and creating chances and West Ham were desperately hanging on in a complete reversal of the first half’s proceedings.

There’s a reason that before his injury, James Collins was dropped, and that reason was there for one and all to see as he gave away the needless free-kick that lead to Robert Snodgrass clinching Norwich’s second. (By the way what is it with West Ham conceding from direct free-kicks this season?)

Last night’s defeat means that, yes, the club are firmly in the midsts of yet another relegation battle and without a decent striker it’s going to be one hell of a slog to escape from the clutches of the Championship.

This West Ham side is filled with quality except up top and as much as I’m a fan of Sam Allardyce... just what was he thinking signing Stewart Downing when clearly another striker was what was needed?

Next up for the Hammers is Mourinho’s men at the Boleyn... a tricky fixture to say the least, but after the Billionaire’s from the Kings Road come to town, two very winnable matches loom as West Ham take on Fulham at home and Crystal Palace away – and they’ve got to be targeting six points from those two games.

The most frustrating thing for the fans, in my opinion, is that they can see there is talent in the side; it’s just unbelievable to think that Gold, Sullivan and Allardyce between them didn’t sort adequate cover for Andy Carroll; especially seeing that he was out for the vast majority of the previous campaign.

They have a chance to make amends in January... here’s hoping the situation is still retrievable by then.