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One of the reasons West Ham supporters felt a weight lift when it emerged that an American consortium is interested in buying the club from David Gold and David Sullivan is because of the money spent on failed signings since they moved into the stadium. from London four years ago. .
This is an institution in need of a new vision, even if the proposed acquisition ends nowhere. Beating Charlton in the second round of the Carabao Cup doesn’t change anything. The dysfunction was present even though West Ham won; he was there in full view of Felipe Anderson, Sébastien Haller and Andriy Yarmolenko taking to the field for a low-key cup tie against League One opponents.
The fanfare that greeted the arrivals of Anderson, Haller and Yarmolenko died down long ago. It’s safe to assume that the intention was not to use them on these kinds of occasions, and while Haller did score his first two goals since February, the least one should expect from a 45 million pound forward is to intimidate a lower league defense.
The same applies to Anderson, who needs to offer much more than scoring the third goal in an easy win over Charlton. It barely counted as proof and summed up West Ham’s incoherent draft that their reserve squad contained three of the biggest signings in club history. A front of three with a combined cost of £ 99 million was less a show of force, more an underperforming admission.
Under different circumstances, the trio could have been sold during this transfer period. West Ham has spent the last two months unsuccessfully trying to find a buyer for Anderson, who cost Lazio £ 37 million two years ago, and ended up realizing there are few buyers for a struggling winger making £ 115,000 a la week. They are learning the hard way. The market is uncomfortable due to the Covid-19 pandemic and West Ham infuriated its fans when, in desperation to find a player who could bring in some money, they allowed Grady Diangana to join West Brom.
For the club, however, there was a logic behind the sale. Not only did they feel they needed to raise funds that David Moyes can put toward defensive transfers, but they also argued that there was a lot of competition in Diangana’s position. While his team lacks balance, he is not short of creative players.
One of them, Robert Snodgrass, even started in central midfield against Charlton. It was Anderson and Yarmolenko on the flanks and there were times during the first half when the duo offered glimpses of their class. Anderson, who had not scored since New Year’s Day, spent the opening period trying to make inroads on the left and Yarmolenko was brilliant on the right.
Fast guide
Carabao Cup Summary
Aston Villa fans had spent the day celebrating Jack Grealish’s new five-year contract and his bonding game with his £ 28 million man, Ollie Watkins, will have heightened optimism for last season’s Carabao Cup finalists. .
The forward, who made his debut against Burton Albion, tied the second-round tie at Pirelli Stadium five minutes before halftime after an impressive play by Grealish. The captain released Neil Taylor into the area and his low center was touched at the far post by Watkins. The League One team had gotten off to a dream start by taking the lead with one minute left through Colin Daniel. But Grealish’s influence grew in the match and it was the playmaker who took a good second finish for Villa before Keinan Davis made it 3-1.
Luton beat Reading 1-0 in their championship match at Madejski Stadium. The Hatters’ reward in the third round is a home match with Manchester United, the Premier League team’s first appearance in the competition this season, on a date to be confirmed next week. Luton took the lead in the 24th minute when Jordan Clark headed a clever header off the far post.
Patrick Schmidt and Jordan Williams hit home when Barnsley set up a third-round trip to Chelsea after a 2-0 win against Middlesbrough at Riverside Stadium. First-half goals from Schmidt and Williams fixed things at Teesside. Premier League champion Liverpool will address Lincoln in the third round after the League One team defeated Bradford 5-0 in West Yorkshire. Current Manchester City will host Bournemouth in the third round after the Cherries beat Crystal Palace 11-10 on penalties, following a 0-0 draw at Vitality Stadium.
Fleetwood beat Port Vale 2-1 and will now play the winners of tonight’s match between Everton and Salford City at Goodison Park.
Watford, still finding their way into the Championship, appeared to lose to Oxford after Robert Hall put them ahead. However, an 89th minute draw by Ken Sema saved the day before a 3-0 win in the shootout. Leyton Orient will face Tottenham after a 3-2 win against Plymouth. Guardian sport
There was great desire to make a positive impression after the sad 2-0 loss to Newcastle last Saturday in the league. Yarmolenko had an early goal disallowed for a foul on Charlton goalkeeper Ben Amos and created the first goal with a crafty assist. Josh Cullen, a 24-year-old academy graduate with plans to become a regular after impressing on loan at Charlton last year, lifted a lovely pass from midfield and Yarmolenko rammed the ball for Haller to take advantage of an empty net.
Haller must have been relieved after making a mistake moments earlier when young right-back Ben Johnson reached the starting line and produced a cut. The Frenchman made his way a short distance away.
But Haller calmed down after his first goal, reminding Moyes that he has something to offer. The forward can be a threat if West Ham finds a way to build on his strengths. A player of his stature thrives on quality serve, which he showed when he rose to lead Snodgrass’s mocking crusade over Amos.
At that moment, thoughts turned to another questionable firm. Jack Wilshere, who has made six league starts since joining West Ham two years ago, was absent again after sustaining an ankle injury in training and the former Arsenal player could struggle to regain his place afterward. of Cullen’s encouraging display in midfield.
“I think Josh has done really well,” Moyes said. “He’s a great kid. He works incredibly hard to improve himself. “
Charlton faded late and West Ham extended their lead as Manuel Lanzini set Anderson up for a crisp finish. Perhaps there is still hope for costly misfits.
