Crystal Palace vs West Ham United. Premier League.
Selhurst ParkAttendance25,099.
Report and free match highlights as Tomas Soucek opened the scoring in the second half; new West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen netted his first goal of the season to double the lead; Eberechi Eze hit the crossbar for Crystal Palace, who have lost their first two games of the new campaign
Saturday 24 August 2024 20:20, UK
West Ham won their first game under Julen Lopetegui with a 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace thanks to goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen.
The two sides met with contrasting fortunes in the summer transfer window. The Hammers have signed nine players, while Crystal Palace - who had already lost key man Michael Olise to Bayern Munich - saw Joachim Andersen and Jordan Ayew depart less then 24 hours before Saturday's game, with possibly more to follow.
But in the first 45 minutes, it was the Eagles who looked the more comfortable in their first home game of the 2024/25 season. It's when their best chance came too as Eberechi Eze rattled the top of the crossbar in the final minutes of the half.
However, West Ham were improved after the break, and two goals in five minutes saw them to victory. They came in similar circumstances too, the first seeing Crystal Palace academy product Aaron Wan-Bissaka starting things off from his own half, before a pointed strike from Soucek (67) at the top of a packed box broke the deadlock.
Minutes later, summer signing Max Kilman did the same, this time spotting Bowen's run - who was involved in the opener too - in midfield. It was then a solo drive into the box and lifted finish (72) that sealed the Hammers' first three points under their new boss.
Crystal Palace substitute Ismalia Sarr attempted to drag his side back into the game, but the home fans grew increasingly frustrated at rushed passes and attempts as the clock ticked down. It's now two league defeats from two games for Oliver Glasner, who will surely be hoping for some reinforcements before Friday's 11pm transfer deadline.
It is quite a contrast for Glasner and Crystal Palace after a storming end to the 2023/24 season that saw them win their last six Premier League games.
But before that, there were six winless games that saw the Eagles continue to flirt with relegation. But the Austrian wants his team to remain present in their work, without looking to far forward or back.
He said: "I had this picture here that when we were smiling, flying on a cloud [after winning games at the end of last season], but this happened after very hard work. I'm always trying not to be too emotional.
"We started with a win against Burnley [in Glasner's first game in charge], but then it was six games without a win… and I was asked about relegation. But we didn't think of the table or the results, we just worked hard, and then we got the results and that is what is important now.
"Not dreaming what had been three months ago, not dreaming of maybe what will be in a few months, but being present.
"Don't talk about who left us or who comes in, everyone in the squad today would be able to win this game. I'm completely convinced of this and all of the players have our trust and it's now up to us to keep going and don't be too disappointed.
"Today, we will not sleep well, but tomorrow, the sunrise will happen."
He went on to add: "For the second game, we were not the worst team so maybe we were same the level and then small situations decide the game.
"We had good opportunities in the first half. In the second half, we played a good game, we were not under pressure, but in both transition moments, we didn't defend well. We didn't play too risky, but we lost decisive duels and West Ham have the quality. In the Premier League, we get punished and it hurts."
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui: "We are happy to achieve three points against a very good team, with good players and a good manager with a big demand in the stadium.
"For a moment, we suffered in the first half, but we were able to overcome these moments and we have been resilient. After this, we deserve with the performance in the second half to win. We have to keep going and to think of the next challenge because it's going to be very fast.
"They were fighting a lot, competing, which is a demand you have in all the Premier League matches because this is the level. To be able to stay at this level is very important… I'm happy because they work very hard."
Analysis from Sky Sports' Charlotte Marsh at Selhurst Park:
"First, a dose of realism. Two defeats from two games does not mean panic stations for Crystal Palace. In fact, given that three key players have already left, to have competed in the way they did is impressive.
"But the Eagles do need reinforcements. They have the right manager, and he needs the right players. "When we lose seven and bring in three, maybe we need one or two," Glasner said. "Let's see what happens this week."
"And the Crystal Palace manager was right when he said that his team were far from second best, but the results have been decided in mis-managed moments. The Eagles cannot afford too many in such an unforgiving league.
"And for a team that were free scoring at times under Glasner last season, a Crystal Palace player is yet to score.
"Perhaps both can be summed up by Eze. He did well against West Ham, but he often didn't make the right pass when needed around the box. Without that telepathic connection with Michael Olise that was so important, especially in feeding Jean-Philippe Mateta, he needs to rebuild that with his new teammates.
"Such was the optimism around Selhurst Park last season, a relegation battle should be out of the question - and absolutely still could be. But the hierarchy at the club need to move now to keep their team from playing catch-up."
