They say football is a game of fine margins and that was certainly the case for West Ham United at Burnley.
History made – let’s hear it for the remarkable West Ham record breakers
West Ham came away from Turf Moor with a deserved 2-1 win which breathes new life into their Champions League hopes.
But it was the manner of the performance that really caught the eye.
Shades of Man City in swashbuckling West Ham performance
David Moyes had West Ham set up in an ultra attacking manner rarely seen from the pragmatic Scot.
It was like something out of a Pep Guardiola playbook. And my did the Hammers players respond.
A scintillating display saw West Ham have 22 attempts at goal. The only disappointment was the profligacy which meant Burnley were always in with a chance.
At times some of West Ham’s play was breathtaking to watch.
In fact their play drew hugely favourable comparisons to champions elect Manchester City.
One such move almost resulted in what would surely have been one of the team goals of the season.
Hammers came within inches of one of the team goals of the season after 15-pass, nine-man move
It came on the half hour and so nearly made it 3-1 to the Hammers.
West Ham worked the ball from front to back and then back to front in a 15 pass move of mostly one and two touch football involving NINE of the 11 players.
When the ball was slid to Said Benrahma in the box by Pablo Fornals West Ham fans everywhere were collectively holding their breath.
The Algerian jinked left then right and squirted a curling cross-cum-shot to the far post which evaded Antonio’s sliding foot by an inch – shades of Gazza Euro 96 – and missed the inside of the post by just a matter of inches too.
It truly would have been an outstanding team goal.
The kind we are used to seeing on occasion from Man City and the great Barcelona teams over the years.
The video of the move has had West Ham fans smiling today.
West Ham fans loving life as video sums up scintillating display
And many have raved about the transformation in the team since Moyes has taken over.
The general consensus is that regardless of whether West Ham make the holy grail of the Champions League, it is just a pleasure to see the team playing in this way.
Judge for yourself with the video below and read through some of the brilliant comments.
What a great time to be a West Ham fan. It’s just a shame we can’t be there in person to see it.