We’re on for another PES Predicts, as inconsistent West Ham welcome champions elect Chelsea to the London Stadium. It’s no Upton Park, is it?
I’m sure that’ll be said many a time during Monday Night Football’s coverage, but be that as it may, we’ve got a match to cover. PES 2017 is loaded up and ready, running track or no running track, let’s get it on.
I think Andy Carroll will return to the Hammers’ lineup, with Antonio out suspended it seems like good timing. It’s the usual Chelsea team but Fabregas maintains his place over Matic, for little reason other than I forgot to change it. Come at me. Let’s kick off.
Beglin picks out Diego Costa at the key man, as ever a bold prediction. West Ham have made the better start though, David Luiz working over time on headed clearances as the ball is pumped in towards the big man. Feghouli is booked for a late challenge on Alonso. Meh. Then Costa wins a header but it deflects kindly for Randolph. Other than that, nothing has happened in this 20 minute opening. Come on, do something. Anything. Carroll attacks a cross from deep but his header is well saved. Oh, the ref thinks it was a foul. Cheers ref. Noble tries one on his left from about 30 yards out, but it is wide. He looks sad, as if it was a tap in or something. I have to say, Luiz has dealt brilliantly with Carroll. That’s half time, what an awful match.
Drury speculates that a change will surely follow if it continues like this. Indeed, Peter. Where’s that FIFA disc? Anyway, enough my moaning, we have a goal! It’s Lanzini, tapping in on the far post. Carroll did really well, laying the ball off for Snodgrass, but his shot was parried, Kouayte followed up, passing it right across the goal and Lanzini arrived to tap home. The leaders are behind! Listen to that Sky hyperbole, the title race is alive!!!
Willian is on for Moses, Conte has gone big early. To be honest though Chelsea have been terrible. It’s still all West Ham, with Feghouli feeding Carroll…but his right foot shot is wide! Wrong side for the big man. Hazard has ran into Kouyate about a dozen times. It’s weird. Kante passes it straight out of play. Now that’s weird. Bit better from Chelsea now though as they sustained pressure. Costa has a shot blocked by Reid. West Ham are dangerous on the counter though, and Lanzini smashes a half volley over. Andre Ayew is on for Carroll.
All West Ham now, they look the more likely scorers. Ayew just can’t get on the end of a cross but we’re into the final minutes now. West Ham are seeing it out. Chelsea pump it forwards, but easy meat for Fonte. That’s it! West Ham win 1-0, an awful match but Bilic won’t care. They have pulled off the upset and repeated their League Cup success over Chelsea.
I hope for everybody’s sake tonight’s match is better than this simulation of it. Chelsea managed one shot to West Ham’s 6. Incredibly dull stuff. But, as ever, it’s only PES…